Sat, July 10, 2010 - 3:34:07

Are You Addicted to Stress?

It’s prime vacation time and many of you are probably looking forward to packing your suitcases, loading up the car, and driving off to enjoy the summer sun at your favorite get-away spot. But, when writing up your “To-Pack” check list, how many of you write “Blackberry” or “laptop” on the page. (For those of you who left it off, how many of you secretly plan to bring at least one of them along?)

In today’s wired world, it can be tough—if not downright impossible—to relax, unplug, and unwind. But, too much time with a so-called “productivity device” can actually make you less productive.  What’s worse, it can feed an increasingly common yet surprising addiction: stress.

Research has shown that taking a little time now and then to unplug (and no, that doesn’t mean use wireless!) and relax sans technology is beneficial for your career and for your family life. But, when you’re hooked on the constant pressure of your normally busy life, unwinding can actually take…work.

Luckily, SMALL can help. So, if you’re ready to enjoy a little time off—even if it’s just a weekend at home—and return to work refreshed and recharged, try these little tips to make de-stressing a stress-free process:

Make Small Talk: It might sound like a strange suggestion, but making friendly small talk can actually reduce your stress levels, particularly if it gets you laughing. Witty banter and laughter not only serve as a distraction from stress and other negative emotions, they cause the brain to release cortisol, epinephrine, and dopamine—hormones which naturally inhibit stress.

Get Active: Quiet meditation might be the calming trick for some people, but if the idea of staring into the waves while lounging on the beach makes you feel anxious instead of at ease, try a more active approach to relaxation that will steer your mind away from thoughts of work, unanswered emails, and faraway deadlines. Physical activities like tennis, which involve a partner, allow you to interact with others and let go of pent up tension. As an added bonus, your body will feel a rush of endorphins, the “feel good” hormone, letting you relax naturally.

Commit a Random Act of Kindness: When you’re stewing in stress, the last thing you might think would make you feel better is helping someone else. But, psychologists have repeatedly documented the emotional benefits of doing good for others and have dubbed it the “helper’s high.” So, as you head out to the nearby coffee shop to pick up a muffin and a cup of coffee, why not pay for the next person in line’s latte or give a compliment to a stranger on the street? Not only will your kind act make you feel good, it can serve as the first link in a chain of positive events occurring all around you.

Posted by Linda and Robin