If you are like me, when you get stressed its very hard to concentrate.  I have some sort of self destructive feedback loop where when I am stressed I am less able to be productive and get things done, and so I get more stressed.  Under pressure I do quite well, but when it is looming things that are sort of “distance” or “gradual” stressers I am terrible.

Lately I have been completely overwhelmed.  I am the technical lead on huge project at work and I have been working 12 hour+ days and traveling. Oh yeah and theres those little things of trying to rent out my house, selling Laurens house, selling my car, and trying to sleep at night…oh and still making sure I give you all decent content.  Here is what I have started doing to try and cope with everything at once.

1) Exercise
This is by far the most important thing.  I historically have been in really good shape and Ive really been slipping since I started this new job.  It was easy to get up and go work out when I worked 8 hour days and didnt have to be into work until 9 or 10.  Plus a lot of times if I got into work late I could go lift on my lunch break or take an afternoon break to do it.  The thing is,  exercise doesn’t just affect how good of shape Im in physically, but mentally as well so I have started exercising again and I feel much better.  Not only do I feel better and less stressed but I am much more alert now and I am sleeping better.

2) Focus on one thing at a time
When it comes to individual tasks, I am great at getting things done.  When you line them up into a whole set of tasks, I am basically paralyzed.  So whats the trick?  Thats right, separate them out and focus on them one at a time.

3) Be positive
I sort of cringed even writing “be positive” because its so cliche but I think its important.  Nothing pisses me off more than when people take a “this will never work” “life is terrible” kind of attitude.  If I had that attitude I honestly would cease to function completely.  Its difficult enough for me to focus on a wide variety of tasks or get motivated when Im overwhelmed as it is, if I had a negetive attitude I would not be able to do anything.  I also like the feeling of getting things over with, its a load off your back.

4) Find a way to relax
I haven’t been able to do this in a while, but something that has historically helped me is just sitting in a hot tub and listening to music.  Another thing is playing guitar.  Im sure everyone has their own thing that is their own preferred method, but if you don’t have one, find one.

5) Eat better
Its one of the tenants of personal training and fitness: eating better and more often (6 meals vs 3) increases your energy (and helps you lose weight incidentally) and makes you feel better overall.

Anyone else have any good methods they use?

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