Adam McLane

What’s your stress ball?

There’s no reason to sugar coat it. The past few weeks have been full of stress.

On top of a normally busy season, work-wise, there have a been a few unexpected curve balls thrown my way.

I’m OK.

I’m going to be fine.

In fact, none of the things causing additional stress are actually bad. So don’t freak out on me or get imaginative about what these stress points might be. A couple are very, very good. But lots of things are happening at once and the simple truth is I’m under a lot of pressure. It’s the kind of pressure you can feel run through your veins– adrenaline, anxiety, fear, excitement, fatigue, on and on. That’s a new and unwelcome feeling for me.

The result is I’m not at my best. Which frustrates me and causes stress all it’s own because I pride myself at being at my best during crunch time.

But I’m not sleeping well.

I’m fighting to stay in a somewhat healthy routine.

And with a lot to juggle I have a very hard time– concentration-wise– knowing what to do right now, what to do next, and what should wait until later.

Share Your Tips

This actually isn’t normal for me so I don’t have a big bag of tricks for coping. I continue to do things like regular walks at night, shorter walks or errands to clear my head throughout the day, staying hydrated, taking time off during the weekends for rest and recreation… stuff like that.

But that leaves me where I’m at today, needing ideas. What do you do to take care of yourself when you’re under a lot of pressure or stress? Share your tips in the comments.

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4 responses to “What’s your stress ball?”

  1. Andrea Avatar
    Andrea

    If I am struggling with lack of mental energy or feeling overwhelmed, I take care of little things that advance my project, so the big project isn’t so big once I get to it. If I am having a hard time with motivation, I try to jump start by telling myself to just open the computer, login to the webpage, open a Word document. Once the blank page is open and the material is all there, it is (usually) easier to get started. Other times, I cut myself a break and cut some of the less-important things from my list.

    If I’m struggling emotionally, I do yoga, journal, make a list. I do a lot of self-talk about how worry is a nonproductive emotion, that my value isn’t in achievement, etc. I read Psalms, the depressing ones. Or Jeremiah. Problems look smaller when I remember that Jeremiah lived in a pit while his city was invaded.

    If it is really bad, I do this mental exercise where I imagine that everything that could go wrong does, and predict what the results would be. It’s not usually all that bad. Or if it is that bad, I can plan an imaginary escape route. There’s always McDonald’s.

    I’m curious how this is unusual for you. Why do you think that is?

    Reply
    1. Adam McLane Avatar
      Adam McLane

      It’s the combination of all of the things at once that’s unusual. If any one of the five or so additional tension points were happening by itself, it wouldn’t be noticeable.

      But it’s all of them hitting at once. Sometimes while working through one thing something new will pop up that needs to be dealt with right away, one pausing the other. So it’s the stacking of all the things that’s driving me nuts.

      And maybe it’s an age thing? I’ve heard the phrase “you’re getting my blood pressure up” but you know what? When things pop up… I can feel it and it’s kind of scary!

      Reply
      1. Andrea Avatar
        Andrea

        Maybe it isn’t an age thing as much as an “of this age” thing. I heard that for my generation and the upcoming one, anxiety has superseded depression as the “diagnosis du jour”. It is certainly what I experience and what I see in my students.

        Reply
  2. Hanna Avatar
    Hanna

    When I am feeling pressure- I try to get away from technology- I turn it off or put it away. It seems to be a stimulant when what my body and mind really need is a sedative. I have come to realize these “calming” methods are activities that keep me focused on the present moment- exercise, cooking, reading, etc. The activities I need to relax a bit do not have a great productivity influence on the future. These activities almost need to be something that reject a means to and end and embrace the essence of just being. Even though I might deem these restful activities as pointless or without a purpose at times, they do end up having a great influence on creating a healthy sabbath lifestyle, rejuvenating my body, and therefore leaving me more productive and sound of mind in the end.

    Reply

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