By Dennis Powell, e-Management
Autumn can be a spectacular. It can also be a stressful time for many professionals, parents, and families. (Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons)
September is here, which means meteorological summer will soon be but a distant memory. Autumn can be a stressful time for many professionals, parents, and families. Why? Students and workers are returning from summer break and vacations all at once, adding volume to traffic and increasing gridlock throughout various communities across the country. Plus, work life for many go from zero to 100, making professional life busier and often more hectic. *take a deep breath* Well, the e-Management blogging team sympathizes and has pulled together a short list of how to deal with all of the headaches, anxiety, and stress that are often associated with the beginning of Autumn and the back to school season.
- Eat well, stay active, and get plenty of water: Whether you are a student, parent, or professional, maintaining optimal health through a healthy diet and regular exercise is a great way to deal with autumnal stress. Nutritionist Michelle Stewart, MPH, RDLD/N, CDE, confirms that dehydration can make the body work extra hard when dealing with stress. In addition to drinking ample amounts of water as a way to lower stress levels, she recommends making “wise food choices” by consuming less high saturated fat foods and more whole (non-processed) foods like vegetables, grains, and fruits. Finally, fitness experts agree exercising including Zumba, swimming, cycling, jogging, yoga, and weight training is an effective tool for reducing the effects of stress.
- Keep the lines of communication open: For parents of anxious students who are starting classes or a new school, Elizabeth Scott, stress management expert and author of the , recommends parents talk and listen to their children’s anxiety around starting or returning to school. She advises that parents take the time to understand what their daughters’ and sons’ misgivings are around a new school year. Scott also suggests this may be a great time to talk about potential “bullies” and peer pressure. Essentially, she asserts that keeping the lines of communications open for your children can go a long way in their success.
- Prepare for the next day, the night before: For folks who are returning to work from vacation or employees preparing for a busy season at their jobs, planning may be the thing to relieve workplace related stress and anxiety. Jason Mannino, career coach and executive recruitment program manager at University of California (UC) Berkeley, recommends getting your clothing ready every evening. This simple act can actually reduce morning stress, which can carry over into the workplace. Mannino also recommends going to bed early and offers up tips for improving sleep, such as making the bedtime process an hour of unwinding down. Experts confirm benefits of sleep to include improved academic performance, fewer accidents, and yes less stress.
- Talk to yourself. It’s not necessarily a sign of mania. Instead, it can be a helpful tool in managing stress. The American Heart Association recommends highly stressed people incorporate “positive self-talk” into their daily routines. When faced with stressful situations, positive self-talk phrases like, “I’ve got this” or “Someday I’ll laugh about this” can control stress levels.
- Consider getting professional counseling: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports in the that two out of every five employees say their job is “very” or “extremely stressful.” A survey from the American Psychological Association warns that young students who cope badly with stress may carry those ineffective habits into adulthood. It is important for youth and adults to find healthy ways of coping with stress and anxiety. Naturally, students and adults who are overwhelmed by life’s stress and anxiety levels should seek support from certified counselors or experts in stress management. Check out WebMD’s Anxiety & Panic Disorders Health Center for resources to assist in finding counsellors.
What do you think?
Hopefully, those tips were useful. Still, there are certainly more ways to reduce stress. So, we want to hear from you. (1) Does Autumn bring about more or less stress for you, your coworkers, or your family? (2) How to deal with school, home, or workplace stress?
Tags: anxiety, autumn, Dennis Powell, , fall, Family, NIOSH, Ola Sage, parents, seasons, stress management, students
Proper health practices such as exercise and eating properly are ways I deal with stress. I try to ease into the autumn transition by taking a short trip in the middle of September. Plan, and prepare the night before a workday is beneficial. If you have children try to get them on a schedule ASAP try ease them back into a routine by starting bedtimes sooner.
All great points! I suffer from anxiety. I saw a doctor a few years back to help. They wanted me to take medication but that made it worse. I started meditating and I do constant breathing exercises. It helps tremendously. Finding a hobby helps, especially with anxiety. It takes the attention away from anxiety and the focus is on what you love to do.
Very good article Dennis. Stress comes in many forms. The best way to cope with it in my opinion is to admit when you are stressed and have a plan of how you can decrease and/or deal with stress that can’t be avoided. Getting plenty of rest, eating properly, and exercising are best practices that tend to keep the brain functioning properly while also giving the body what it needs to operate. Talking with friends, family, and even the source of the stress can also be helpful. But whatever you do…. Figure out a way to decrease the amount of stressful situations and circumstances if at all humanly possible. Plus… Keep this phrase in mind: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff! Most things really do not require us to take immediate action without thinking of pros and cons before we act upon them. So if we THINK, talk it out, and consider consequences… We just might find ourselves in less stressful situations than if we don’t take a pause to strategize. The more we can think and/or prepare ourselves for whatever might face us, the better equiped we are to deal. Henceforth, LESS STRESS! Although… I must admit. The summers inevitable end is STRESSFUL.
Great article. Stress comes in many forms and identifying the symptoms are very important so we know how to cope. I believe in stress management because it allow me to manage the condition on how to respond.
This year seems busier than ever. I usually don’t get too slammed till after Halloween, then all the holidays hit and the stress that come with them. Since I’m in Accounting, the stress just keeps rolling through the new year until April 15th lol
I have found that most definitely, healthy diet, staying hydrated and sleep as well as meditation, Tai Chi and yoga work wonders on stress relief and ability to focus on the good in all the craziness of life.
Thanks for the great tips! I am going to listen a little harder when my kids talk to me now.
@Darryl Coffee, I am happy you found the right solution your anxiety. Thank you for being so candid and for sharing your personal story.
Normally, if it is work stress while I’m in the office–I shut my door and say “WTH” to the computer screen. Then, I go get a little bit of exercise by doing the stairwell. After that, I am calmed down to directly handle the issue. lol….that’s on my worst day though. Fortunately, I have developed the skill of remaining unbothered when it comes to day-to-day work stress. I work really well under pressure and tight deadlines so those type of things don’t really stress me out.
Now, when it comes to my personal life stuff–I write. I keep a journal. I Facebook and Instagram to offer inspiration. I take Selfies. I read for inspiration (I love reading quotes!). I look at photos to remind me of the moments and things that make me happy. You can also find me having dance parties, jumping on my bed, belting out lyrics from my favorite tunes (off key, I might add…lol), talking it out, being the “Tickle Monster” and making my son laugh.
What has helped me tremendously in all aspects of life is learning the difference between the things I can control and the things I can’t–and not beating myself up too much for the things out of my control. Also, learning who my core team and “cheerleaders” are. That is my support system and everyone else can go kick rocks
One last thing, I do eat pretty healthy and exercise–but, I found that eating Spinach in the afternoon picks my mood right up too.
@Kevin Henderson, great tips. Thanks for stopping by.
@Ann Marie Duncan, I agree stress management is key to getting better outcomes and to a happier state of being. Thank you for adding your voice to this discussion.
@Stephanie Peck, Thanks for adding staying hydrated, getting plenty of sleep as well as meditation, Tai Chi and yoga to the list of tips to reduce stress. Great additions.
@Jamie Triplin, eating spinach in the after and taking selfies? I might have to try those unconventional approaches to dealing with stress in life. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and adding your tips to this growing list of recommendations.
@Tyrone Spencer, I like that you included conversations with close friends and loved ones to your list of tips for coping with stressed. Good recommendations. Thank you for stopping by.
A very clearly written article that can be used as a handy guide as the last thing anyone needs is a stress inducing jargon laid article to help manage stress ! I think everyone has already highlighted the main points. Stress has both an emotional & physiological impact upon the body so it important to take care of one’s body. A healthy body makes for a healthy mind. Our lifestyles today are far busier & less face to face interaction with people. I agree that sometimes there is nothing better than a good old chin wag over a cuppa chai to talk things over. If the stress is becoming an added pressure & preventing everyday activities or causing anxiety then I would advise seeking professional help & trying a sport/yoga/listening to music & actually getting out into an open space walking/running etc. I find that writing a journal/diary is quite therapeutic but for me nothing beats a heart to heart with a loved one !
This is a very thoughtful post!
I could go so many places with my response but it would end up being longer than your article
When I think about stress – I now have to contend with the damage I’ve done over the years living without effective management tools. Stress takes an invisible toll on your body and can quickly become life altering and life threatening. Just two years ago I could run against my god-childs basketball team and come in 3rd (not bad I was 41 then) after cycling off my FIT CRAZE mode that year – my body shifted not in weight but in other areas – one visit with my doctor and we learned that my health declined a bit. It wasn’t because I started eating or had turned into a coach potato – it was because I had allowed STRESS too much real estate in my world. Everything listed are excellent points – I can only add that if you are reading this as a younger person TAKE HEED you can go from hero to zero real fast not introducing some stress management in your life. You have ONE HEART – take great care of it!
@Fauzia B Karim, I agree that “nothing beats a heart to heart with a loved one.” Family and friends can really help to provide encouraging words and advice to help ease the pressures of life. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
@Melissa Quick, Good points. Stress can definitely have a negative impact on one’s health. I love your advice to the young/youth. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your personal experience with stress and stress management.
I definitely notice a huge difference when I’m eating well and practicing some sort of physical activity even if it’s just walking the kids to school. Also when we are walking I try to engage them in interesting conversation. Over the years I’ve learned way better how to manage my stress and I have #4 down pat. These are great suggestions indeed.
@Oona Mulkey, engaging children in conversations is a great to nurturing relationships between children and parents. Thanks for sharing your tips with us.
All great points. I’ve always practiced preparing for the next day the night prior, and getting plenty of water. Now that I’m knocking on 40’s door, I try to get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep each night. Exercise has always helped me relieve stress.
Great points! I especially concur with the point about getting professional counseling. So many people who work and give care (to children, to elderly parents, etc.) are so busy caring for others they neglect themselves. And you’re no good to the ones you love if you don’t have a good handle on your own emotional and mental well being. I’ll be sure to repost!
Nice reminders. Particularly #4. See video (music, how I speak when time is short)https://youtu.be/KyRZIbC_n-c