Using Time Out to Reduce Symptoms of Stress

I had one of those "a-ha" moments the other day when talking with a friend. It's the Art of Stopping? Not really considered it? No, nor had I.

It seemed stopping was something Clare didn't know how to do. There she was busily racing around the place doing stuff. But the doing was exhausting and she was getting stressed as a result. Clare is a businesswoman. One of the many one-person businesses that serve our many varied needs. There's a lot of doing to be done when you're a one-person business.

What is stopping? Is it doing nothing? If you're doing nothing does that mean you're doing something? Perhaps it's a moment of reflection. Or is it the impatient waiting period before you're given that green light to proceed? How do we spend that period of stopping? Do we spend it questioning whether we would have made it through the amber light if we had floored it. And more importantly who else would have noticed the light was amber? How we spend that time is even more vital than the act of stopping.

If you don't take the time to stop and smell the roses you will become exhausted or worse, burnt out. This is especially true if you're self employed because, guess what, if you're stressed, your clients know.

Your body will tell you when you're stressed. Below are some symptoms which can be used to gauge your level of stress. How many of the symptoms listed below have you experienced in the last 3 months?

· Back Ache
· Upset Stomach
· Headache
· Neck or shoulder tension
· Change in appetite
· Tearfulness
· Irritability
· Change in Weight
· Panic Attacks
· Short Temper
· Anxiety
· Feelings of not being able to cope
· Change in libido
· Always washing hands
· Irregular breathing
· Palpitations
· Exhaustion
· Uneasy Throat
· Problem skin
· Night sweats
· Worry
· Sleeplessness
· Nail Biting
· Use of alcohol to relax or caffeine to energise
· Frequent toileting
· Forgetfulness
· Grinding teeth
· Feelings of Insecurity
· Relationship issues
· Feeling confused

If you've experienced 10 or more of these symptoms in the last 3 months then it's time to build in some stop time.

So, let me ask you this question. What is the one thing on this Earth that you really enjoy doing? What is it that really makes you laugh (you know those big belly aching laughs where you laugh so hard the tears roll down your cheeks and your sides hurt). What is it that makes your soul sing? When did you last do it?

Whatever it is, make some time, right now, to do it again. No ifs or buts! You HAVE to do this (within the next 48 hours if possible). Schedule some time into your diary to do it this week. Do you remember the suitcase exercise? (we talked about it on 30 August, in case you want to go back to it) It's a great exercise to do before doing that one thing that really gives you a lift. Knowing how stress works means that it's vital to be in the right frame of mind when you give your body the gift of time to rebalance.

And then, once you've done that magical uplifting thing, and only after you've done it, go back to those suitcases. Open one up and deal with the first issue or situation that presents itself. We'll deal with the rest in good time.