Mike Nichols, creator of the Anxiety, Panic and Health blog, spoke with me this week about dealing with stress at work.
Mike is an IT veteran who has been a leader in multiple successful businesses. He has also paid the consequences of ignoring out of control stress. Fortunately for him (and us) he learned lessons from his experiences and is willing to generously share.
Why Listen?
- Your stress level may be higher now.
- You know work-life balance is important. What are you doing for you?
- These 15 minutes are dense with positive suggestions and information you can implement today.
Topics covered in this interview:
1. Mike’s Story (0.00 – 1.55)
“The whole idea is to give information that people won’t find elsewhere…the kind of information that I wanted to have when I was having problems.”
2. How you know if your stress level is out of hand (1.56 – 4.08)
Warning signals may include:
- physical – sleep disturbances, stomach upsets, faster heartrate, restlessness
- mental – negative thoughts, racing mind
- emotional – frustration, anger, sense of humor goes out the door
- behavior – decreased contact with family and friends, crankiness
3. What to do to manage your stress (4.09 – 6.50)
“Do activities that you love… (and that) will take your attention off your work life. Give yourself some space to collect your thoughts.”
4. Mike’s experience with business related stress (6.51 – 8.05)
5. What if someone has no time to do these things? (8.06 – 9.44)
“The productivity that you think you are producing would be better if you do take your breaks, you vacations, and you do learn to say no. If you did a test, at the end of the year you would see this to be the case.”
6. Is admitting to having an issue with stress a sign of weakness? (10.00 – 12.07)
“It is more courageous to admit to yourself that you are suffering with the signs of stress…There is all sorts of help available that can help you change your habits that leave you susceptible…No one will help you do it…You have to do it for yourself.”
7. Final thoughts (12.08 – 15.14)
“I would be glad to talk to anyone who is suffering with these things.”
Mike’s voice is very clear on the audio. Please have patience with the slight distortion on my connection.
If you are interested in learning more about stress, anxiety and health, you might be interested in some of Mike’s writings:
- 22 Tips for Becoming a World-Class Worrier
- 8 Tips for Surviving a Party or Gathering
- Shyness or Social Phobia?
- I’m Dying: What a Panic Attack Feels Like
You can contact Mike at Anxiety, Panic and Health.
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Alec:
2. How you know if your stress level is out of hand (1.56 – 4.08)
– I think those points are perfect !
I have seen many people proudly saying “I am very busy & stressed nowadays” . Many people feel insecure of the feeling of “being free & relaxed” – especially in office. I have already started an attempt to view things in a funny angle.. I think that may help keep me cool!
Thanks for sharing,
Cheers!
Sreejith
Sreejith´s last blog post..Life beyond Gantt charts
3. What to do to manage your stress
- here I expected to see smoke a lot and drink after work. Suppose that was the thing to do in the 60’s!
Richard McLaughlin´s last blog post..Virtual-Team Management
Twitter: alecsatin
@Sreejith – You are so right. It’s easy to get into a “who is more stressed competition” at work. It sounds like you’ve come up with a good antidote. Let me know how it works. :>
@Richard – GRIN.
I liked your comments on recognizing the signs of stress. Too often we fail to identify the problem until the physical problems occur.