Professional Development Soft Skills Courses

The following is an extract from our soft skills professional training course on Stress Management. This is one of over 50 courses for professionals available at our London offices, or your site UK wide and international. We can create tailored and bespoke training programmes for you and your team.

Creating a Stress-Reducing Lifestyle

Eating Properly

Sticking to a healthy diet is a key part of managing stress. Giving your body the proper fuel will give you the energy you need to battle the harmful effects of stress.

Any changes in diet, sleep, and exercise must be lifestyle-oriented. There are no quick fixes, so try to set small goals for yourself.

Exercising Regularly

Finding time to take care of our bodies is another challenge many of us face. Exercise is an important part of stress reduction for many reasons, including:

• Exercise makes you stronger, and therefore more resilient to stress
• Exercise helps clear your mind, reducing the harmful effects of stress
• Exercise can help you work out the negative emotions that can result from stress, such as anger and frustration.
• Exercise can also give you time alone to think through stressful situations

Try to find some activities that you enjoy. If you are having trouble finding the time to exercise, try these tips.

• Take a walk at lunch
• Walk or bike to or from work
• Take the stairs instead of the lift
• Stand when talking on the phone

Remember, diet, sleep, and exercise are all lifestyle changes. Start slowly, build your commitment steadily, and stay positive and focused.

Sleeping Well

• Try these tips to help you get a good night’s sleep.
• Use your bed just for sleeping – not for reading, watching TV, working, etc. Likewise, try to sleep just in your bed, not on the couch or in the armchair.
• Make your bedroom a comfortable place, with curtains to keep light out, an appropriate number of blankets, and no noise or distractions.
• Try to go to bed and get up around the same time each day.
• Have a routine before you go to bed. A cup of tea, a few stretches, a few moments of meditation, a warm bath, and quiet music are all great ways to relax.