A combination of different measures is needed to relieve work-related tension so that it does not affect life at home

As times are getting tougher in the corporate world, many feel the pinch. Stress impacts the way we think, feel and behave, thus, affecting all aspects of our life. The consequences of letting stress rule are nothing short of disastrous and tragic. First of all, do you know what stress is? Stress is too much to do and too little time or energy. So either you reduce your workload — which doesn’t seem to be a possibility these days. Or you increase your time — which is not possible either. So let us look at some ways to not only increase our energy levels but also to change our mind and outlook, just a little bit. This will enable a less stressful and more productive work life. Here is an easy and simple 10-point solution.

o Strike a work-life balance: It’s like riding a bicycle. What is the secret to riding a bicycle? Balance! It’s about staying at the centre: not letting it fall to the right or left. When it’s falling on one side, you bring it to balance. When you go out of balance, you feel the pinch. Listen to that. Don’t just ignore it, acknowledge it and come to the centre. Whenever you go out of balance in any aspect of life, listen to your inner voice, and come to the centre. If you have ignored your family, it pinches you. If you have ignored your social commitment, it pinches you. If you are ignoring your business, it pinches you. If you are ignoring your spiritual practices, it pinches you. So wherever anything pinches you, come back to the centre.

o The right amount of food and sleep: Not too much and not too little. A balanced diet with enough carbohydrates and proteins along with six-eight hours of sleep is advisable.

o Meditation: Learn some deep breathing exercises to increase your energy level, relax your mind and relieve all types of stress. Meditation also enhances your abilities, strengthens your nervous system and mind and releases toxins from the body. Usually, I recommend afternoon meditation and meals in the workplace. When people sit together and meditate for a few minutes and then share a meal together, they find it so refreshing and are able to carry on through the day with the same energy which they came to the office.

o Don’t let time manage you: First of all, you must see to it that you have the feeling that you have time. When you put this thought in your mind that you don’t have time, then that itself becomes a block. Everybody has only 24 hours, whether it is the Prime Minister or a clerk working in the bank. You have to hold on to this aphorism ‘I can do it’ because the pressure of time is more when you do not feel confident of accomplishing your work. Even when it appears to be impossible, even then you should have confidence; probably give miracles a chance. This very confidence in yourself that ‘I will be able to manage’ will take you through.

o Take interest in some art form: In the corporate world, you are loaded with left-brain activities like logical thinking, planning, analysis and so on. So you need to balance the left-brain activity with the right-brain activity. Painting, music, poetry or any other kind of creative and recreational activities activate the right brain. When the two hemispheres of the brains are balanced, you can experience higher clarity, creativity, relaxation, efficiency and productivity.

o Establish a congenial work atmosphere: Peace and prosperity are interlinked. Prosperity cannot flourish in a disturbed atmosphere. While working with others, you need to function as a team. Have a sense of respect for your team members, and do not indulge in blame games. Create an atmosphere of trust, cooperation, a sense of belonging, and celebration. Nothing can last if the focus is only on productivity and net result.

o 15-second gap: Another clue, another technique you can follow. Whenever you have to do any important job, good or bad, give a fifteen seconds gap. A C.E.O. once wrote a very nasty letter to his boss. He was going to sign off and send it, when suddenly he remembered to give a 15-second gap. When he went through the letter again it was so nasty, he himself could not read it. That time lag made so much of a difference! Take home this technique. From today or tomorrow, practise this technique. The mind has a very strange tendency. Anything wrong it wants to do immediately. From now on, you postpone it. If you want to shout at somebody, postpone it to next week. We have a tendency of postponing doing something good. Anything that is good we tend to postpone it to later, to our next lifetime. So, we postpone doing something good and do immediately something that is harmful. So leave a 15-second gap and just pause and reflect. Be calm. Can you do it?

o Do not worry about gaining position: Remember that the respect which you gain through virtue and the respect you gain through position are different. The respect you get through a position is short-lived and temporary. But the respect that you gain just because of your smile, your attitude, your virtues are with you for all time. Are you a chairman of this committee, president of that committee, a barrister or governor of a state? These are all momentary and temporary. They come and they go. And the respect you get because of this position is short-lived, it is not genuine, it is not from the heart, it is not true. But the respect you gain because you are a nice person is genuine, it lasts long. It is spontaneous.

o Extend your comfort zone: Anything creative, dynamic and great things can happen when you stretch beyond your comfort zone. We are often struck in our little comfort zone and we cannot go beyond that. And we think we cannot just make an effort and put one step ahead, and you will see that you can expand your comfort zone and not shrink it. Creativity expands your comfort zone. Or, when you step out of the comfort zone, your creativity comes into play.

o Do acts of service: Be useful to people around you. It’s the best antidote to stress. You must contribute to society. When you do some act of service and kindness, it brings an immediate feeling of inner rejuvenation.

So, believe in yourself and remember that success is an attitude, not just a phenomenon.