Suggestions to get relief from stress

[margo49]

1. Movement - biking, walking or something else in the open air
2. Prayer/Meditation - whatever suits or whatever you were brought up in (or the opposite!) And remember retro can be the new contemporary - so don't be reticent about returning to your roots
3. The Dalai Lama book recommended above plus something with a short daily thought that you can keep coming back to throughout the day. The Dalai Lama has a book like this with every day a different thought but there are zillions out there
4. Nutrition - fresh, home-cooked, and variety would be my key words

ps, I recommend that you stay with "the established spiritualities" rather than something without a history. People have been dealing with stress believe it or not for 1000's of years (as in "Oh, Dear Neanderthal Husband, I do hope that Big Black Bear doesn't come snuffling round the cave again") and have come up with some great ideas

[Mr. Bloom]

Christina:

I am an executive officer in a public company in a regulated business. I have so many conflicting constituencies to please...but I enjoy my work very much.

FMCG is an organization without slackards. You're all top guns and had to be competitive to even get chosen in the first place. In the corporate pyramid, there's always a "cut" happening as more and more folks vie for advancement into fewer slots.

So, first, accept that and decide if you want to play that game.

Second, do not let conflict (or lack of it) determine your sense of comfort or self perception. My boss is the CEO...we don't always agree. I remind him that it's not my job to agree with him...it's my job to do what I think is right...if we really can't agree and he feels strongly, then sometimes it's my job to say "yes sir". It's easier sometimes when I accept that, regardless of my position or stature, I do have a boss that I'm accountable to.

Third, remember there is pressure and there is stress. Pressure exists, but stress occurs when you allow it to metabolize into your physiology. This is a choice you make in your response to pressure. If you can't control the effect that pressure has on you, it may be better for you to seek something in a better environment. FMCG folks can "write their ticket" in many places AND they enjoy life considerably more.

We keep a plaque hanging on our wall that says: "If you enjoy what you do, you'll never work a day in your life". I believe this. Make sure you're doing this for the right reasons and that you get satisfaction from your job. If not, it's time for a gut check.

Years ago, I took inventory of what was important to me - professionally. There are many things, but the first three things:

• Who I work for...will they lead me? do I trust and respect them? Can I follow them as a result?
• Who I work with...are they competant? equally committed? trustworthy?
• What I do...is it fun? challenging? rewarding?

I can't say for you, but for me, when those things are in balance, life is good...but when one of those tips, something has to compensate...when two tip...well, it's only happened once, but it was time to move on.

Sure, exercise IS a COPING mechanism, but it seems to me that your issue is a bit deeper than a need to cope (and I hope you understand that I mean that constructively and with the profoundest respect for what you're feeling right now)

I wish you the best in addressing this and finding a healthy equilibrium.