Managing stress
- Thread starter Nick_S
- Start date
BlacknTan
Forum GOD!
I can't add much about dealing with stress, but there have been some great strategies provided.
What has impressed me about this thread is the willingness of the younger generation to acknowledge and willingly speak about the challenges that we, as human beings face from time to time. None of us are immune, and the ease with which people now talk about it is a major step .. Much unlike my generation, where, men in particular, were forced to swallow it all down, much to the detriment of all of us.
I think being open and speaking about our issues is half the battle, and I tip my hat to all of you gents for being so open....
What has impressed me about this thread is the willingness of the younger generation to acknowledge and willingly speak about the challenges that we, as human beings face from time to time. None of us are immune, and the ease with which people now talk about it is a major step .. Much unlike my generation, where, men in particular, were forced to swallow it all down, much to the detriment of all of us.
I think being open and speaking about our issues is half the battle, and I tip my hat to all of you gents for being so open....
bandito
Ex-Addict
There are lots of good resources out there Nick, including books and professional services.
I previously suffered significant stress, to the point that I had to take repeated periods off work. I've also suffered from depression since my teens.
I've subsequently become an accredited stress manager and a positive psychology coach (I work in health and social care anyway).
How I've managed stress?
Cheers
Mick
I previously suffered significant stress, to the point that I had to take repeated periods off work. I've also suffered from depression since my teens.
I've subsequently become an accredited stress manager and a positive psychology coach (I work in health and social care anyway).
How I've managed stress?
- Doing less
- Having less
- Slowing down
- Focussing on what's important
- Being mindful of my diet - both what goes into my body, and my mind (music, films, reading material, relationships)
- Physical activity
- Mindful activities, e.g. DE shaving, writing with a fountain pen
- Understanding myself (re: depression, introversion, and what my strengths are and how to make the most of them)
- Letting go (particularly of the idea that I 'should' do this and I 'should' do that)
- Accepting I need medication (although that's more about depression than stress, the two easily become intertwined)
Cheers
Mick
Nick_S
Forum GOD!
If I did that, I'd be arrested, as I can't carry a tune in a bucket! A light anecdote on this day for you. I play guitar and was at a jam session with a few friends (drummer and bassist), and we had no vocalist (none of us can sing, put it that way), so I said hey, let's stick the PA on anyway and give it a bash. So I went first, playing and singing "Sunny Afternoon" by The Kinks. I sounded like the bastardised voices of Mick Jagger and David Bowie with a little Donovan thrown in for good measure, and not the good bits either
Wayne
Forum Sod
Hahah, when has not being able to sing stopped people becoming millionaires from giving it a go?If I did that, I'd be arrested, as I can't carry a tune in a bucket! A light anecdote on this day for you. I play guitar and was at a jam session with a few friends (drummer and bassist), and we had no vocalist (none of us can sing, put it that way), so I said hey, let's stick the PA on anyway and give it a bash. So I went first, playing and singing "Sunny Afternoon" by The Kinks. I sounded like the bastardised voices of Mick Jagger and David Bowie with a little Donovan thrown in for good measure, and not the good bits either
Nick_S
Forum GOD!
This is true, so very true. See you next year then on BGT, I'll strut my stuff and who knows, I might get to sing for Queenie!
Wayne
Forum Sod
I look forward to seeing you pal. Make 'em ave it.
p.b
Forum GOD!
Just sing Sex Pistol's songs.If I did that, I'd be arrested, as I can't carry a tune in a bucket! A light anecdote on this day for you. I play guitar and was at a jam session with a few friends (drummer and bassist), and we had no vocalist (none of us can sing, put it that way), so I said hey, let's stick the PA on anyway and give it a bash. So I went first, playing and singing "Sunny Afternoon" by The Kinks. I sounded like the bastardised voices of Mick Jagger and David Bowie with a little Donovan thrown in for good measure, and not the good bits either
chrisbd
Forum GOD!
@Nick_S,
Sorry you find yourself in this position, you're among friends.
A very difficult topic with about as many answers as sufferers. Much sound advice but you're off to a good start in recognizing the problem. Like several respondents above I suffered stress induced illness a few years ago when the work environment became highly toxic following a management change in the office - how do companies continually manage to promote the most unsuitable, inexperienced people to positions of authority, without training, and not monitor their behaviour?
In short, I raised the matter with my manager (whose new assistant was the problem), HR and the business manager, who were mercifully entirely sympathetic and told me to seek help, which I was already doing. My GP signed me off work for three months, with a phased return over a further four months thereafter. He advised regular exercise, which helps not only to take you out of the office (if that's the site of the problem) but to get the "feelgood hormones" flowing, and to learn to recognize the onset of an episode and focus on something which you enjoy. Activities such as wet shaving, which have an almost meditative quality I find very useful. Although I was never offered CBT I maintained the half-hour (or more) daily walk regime when I returned to work and have done ever since, which has also helped me to lose a significant amount of weight.
If the problem's work related, remember that an employer has an obligation under UK Health and Safety legislation to provide a safe, healthy working environment. The Civil Service seems to be one of the worst offenders in this respect.
Sorry for the rambling reply, I hope you find a suitable, effective solution soon.
Regards,
Chris
Sorry you find yourself in this position, you're among friends.
A very difficult topic with about as many answers as sufferers. Much sound advice but you're off to a good start in recognizing the problem. Like several respondents above I suffered stress induced illness a few years ago when the work environment became highly toxic following a management change in the office - how do companies continually manage to promote the most unsuitable, inexperienced people to positions of authority, without training, and not monitor their behaviour?
In short, I raised the matter with my manager (whose new assistant was the problem), HR and the business manager, who were mercifully entirely sympathetic and told me to seek help, which I was already doing. My GP signed me off work for three months, with a phased return over a further four months thereafter. He advised regular exercise, which helps not only to take you out of the office (if that's the site of the problem) but to get the "feelgood hormones" flowing, and to learn to recognize the onset of an episode and focus on something which you enjoy. Activities such as wet shaving, which have an almost meditative quality I find very useful. Although I was never offered CBT I maintained the half-hour (or more) daily walk regime when I returned to work and have done ever since, which has also helped me to lose a significant amount of weight.
If the problem's work related, remember that an employer has an obligation under UK Health and Safety legislation to provide a safe, healthy working environment. The Civil Service seems to be one of the worst offenders in this respect.
Sorry for the rambling reply, I hope you find a suitable, effective solution soon.
Regards,
Chris
Wayne
Forum Sod
That's a nice outcome Chris. I'm glad you had a positive experience with your company. Not all employers are as compassionate. Recently one of our employees had a heart attack. Once out of hospital he received what he thought was a home visit from a manager to ask how he was doing? The conversation however went along the lines of "When do you think you will be back as we are really busy"? When he replied he didn't know and it was up to the doctor to say the manager asked him if he had considered early retirement on ill health grounds. Needless to say he was promptly booted out by the lads wife.
One of our maintenance lads was attacked last week by a tenant. The tenant is on the run from the police but after 4 days an email came out saying the tenants partner had reported her sink was still leaking and could two men attend and if the perpetrator was seen to ring 999. Obviously the lads refused. This is what happens with a target driven employer who puts percentages before employees.
Needless to say I work in a very stressful environment. Which is difficult to manage.
chrisbd
Forum GOD!
Wayne,
Thanks, it ended well for me but I was pissed off with the way my company had allowed such a situation to arise. Long story but the work environment for my team mates continued to deteriorate during my absence, fortunately coming to a head and being resolved before I returned. I moved sideways within the company and have since been lucky enough to take early retirement, for which I'll be eternally grateful.
The manager's behaviour you describe is shocking and contravenes health and safety law. A similar situation occurred when one of our operations managers was home recovering from an operation for testicular cancer. Our young (French - fact, not an accusation) business manager at the time, being fast-tracked to stardom, made a similar call, before long asking how soon he'd return. After telling him where to get off the ops manager reported him to HR and he (business manager) was given a warning for his behaviour. Perhaps no coincidence, it was that same lad who told me to go and get well.
It's shameful that many companies think such bullish, callous behaviour is acceptable, either from ignorance or wilful bloody mindedness. Some consider it "constructive tension" - complete bollocks, frankly. Change at work is possible, if the employer's willing to acknowledge it's necessary, but sometimes I'm afraid the only option is to to leave. Difficult, I've known people who found the new job's worse in ways they hadn't anticipated, while others have joined a totally different environment and wondered why they endured such crap for so long.
I hope things get better for you.
Regards,
Chris
