How are you keeping from feeling stressed and overwhelmed despite the steady stream of bad news filling your inbox?

Not long ago, shifting to teleworking would have been enough to cause us stress. However, the demands many of us are juggling these days are greater than ever before. Closures, altered travel plans, financial worries, teleworking….and juggling kids at home are only a few of the stressors that are now part of our new – and ever changing – normal.

It is easy to get hijacked by worry, anxiety, and overwhelm.

Someone I have worked with has built her business as a personal trainer. She specializes in delivering at home/ in-office personal training sessions. At the start of the Coronavirus, her usually overbooked calendar spiraled into empty as clients cancelled their sessions. Feeling the weight of financial responsibilities and wanting to keep her business alive, she felt overwhelmed and stressed.

Determined not to let fear drown out possibilities, she took a day to re-focus and re-group. Undeterred by the bad news all around us, she decided to leap into online learning – which, so far, is going better than she expected for her.

Fear and overwhelm keep us stuck. It becomes difficult for us to be creative and resourceful. 

You may not be worried about saving your business, but during these uncertain times, we all have areas where we feel fear guiding our (in)decisions.  Where are you feeling the impact?

Here are some suggestions to prevent your brain from getting hijacked by anxiety and stay CALM instead!

• C: Capture 15% solutions –   Fifteen percent solutions usually don’t solve challenges but will take you small steps towards your desired outcome. Sometimes, they are ideas you have considered before but have set aside because they are too small. Remember that over time small shifts can have big impacts
• A: Acknowledge, don’t dwell – It is important to acknowledge worries and fears – but don’t stay there. Focus on areas that give you control and ask yourself what decisions you can make.
• L: Leave  – Leave your cellphone, computers, and smart devices off. Create time every day to refuel your energy without the use of technology. A few suggestions include: read a book, reach out to someone you haven’t been in touch with for a while, daily gratitude moments, laugh, focus on things that are working in your life.
• M: Move – A quick way to release stress and anxiety is through physical activity. Start moving by taking a brisk walk outside, download an exercise app, follow a Zumba routine on youtube, join an online exercise challenge.

Life is full of uncertainty, and while we often do not have control over what is happening around us, we can impact the way we are feeling and showing up in life. Staying calm increases creativity and resourcefulness – which is what you need to find new solutions during uncharted challenges.

What changes will you make to stay CALM? (I can’t wait to hear what you have come up with).

Sending you inspiration,

Nicoletta

Do you need help managing stress and anxiety? Reach out and we can chat!