Why you need to complete your stress cycle

By Business Health Institute

08 Jul 2021

pexels-energepiccom-313690.jpg

How many of us spend our days feeling like we are stuck on a hamster wheel, that goes round and round, with no exit sign?

Life during and emerging from the storm of Covid has left a big impact on working life. Are some of us still in a reactive/survival phase, trying to figure out what to do next, or are some of us able to make connections, explore options and feel resourceful?

Let’s apply the brake a moment and stop.  A marker of wellbeing is the adeptness to respond to and recover from the challenges of daily life.  We all have that capability, but sometimes we need to reset in order to do so.

What happened to my brain?

We all have a smoke detector in our brain called the Amygdala, sometimes known as the fear centre.   Its main job is to detect danger. The stronger a threat is seeming to be, the more reactive the smoke detector sounds.  The more it becomes activated, the bigger our stress response becomes. During this process, the higher parts of the brain, our logical thinking and ability to focus begin to shut down.  We are left with high arousal stress response, where we can become hypervigilant (feeling on guard) and not able to make decisive decisions.

How do you reset?

Let’s start by learning to calm our nervous system in simple ways, which will help to calm the fear centre.

Every day easy tools to help

Our breath is the one constant in our life, but do we stop to notice it?

Stop now and take a moment to notice how you are breathing, fast or slow, deep, or shallow? The deeper and slower we can breathe, the calmer we become.

Movement

Get up from our desk or chair, move about, stretch our arms and legs.  Shake our hands/arms and or legs.  Move your head from side to side.

Go for a walk/run/skip/jump – it’s doesn’t matter what you do, but it mattes that you move.

Chewing

Simple as that, chew something.  It will create saliva in the mouth, this gives a signal to the brain that all is okay.  When your mouth is dry, it sends a message to the brain that danger might be lurking, and the fear centre can become activated. 

Journal

At the end of the working day, write down all you have achieved.  Make a list of what’s important for the next day.  Draw a line under it and remember to tidy your desk.

Evening time, draw or write 3 things that have helped to make your day a positive one.  It might be a smile, something in nature, a cuddle from your pet, something funny… whatever it is make note of it… by the end of the week, notice how many positive experiences you have had.

Sleep Hygiene

Create your bedroom as a place of rest and relaxation.  Remove any work items from the room (if you’re having to work from there during the day).  Make sure the room temperature is not too hot or too cold.  Disconnect from digital devices at least an hour before sleep.  Have a regular bedtime routine before getting into bed. Try to get at least 6 to 8 hours rest a night.

Find your way to complete your daily stress cycle – Reset and Recharge.

Do you need more help with your wellbeing, click here for more information.

{mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

Latest news

1

PM urged not to retaliate over tariffs Manufacturing

PM urged not to retaliate over tariffs

03 Apr 2025

2

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer Matthew Ratcliffe CMAC

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer

03 Apr 2025

3

For sale signs at The Villa Villa Wrea Green has been brought to market (Image credit: The Villa Wrea Green)

For sale signs at The Villa

02 Apr 2025

4

Montane group expands with new Lancashire hub Anthony Rae Scott Murcott And Adam Lee

Montane group expands with new Lancashire hub

02 Apr 2025

5

Trio of wins for Lancaster brand and digital consultancy Tom Grattan MD and Daniel Wallace

Trio of wins for Lancaster brand and digital consultancy

02 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Lancashire Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880395853-4862066883-1-original.20241022-091152-2.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
04 Apr 2025 - 04 Apr 2025

Lancashire Business Expo 2025

Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine Conference 2025
Remote and Rural 3.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
05 Jun 2025 - 05 Jun 2025

National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine Conference 2025

North Lakes Hotel and Spa, Penrith, CA11 8QT

09:30 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin