Stress in the workplace is inevitable, and its effects on our mind is inevitable as well. At Technalink, however, we find that learning to center yourself can help you to clear away the fog of stress, providing you with a better view of the entire picture and allowing you to remain mindful even in the most stressful of situations. Centering yourself essentially means to bring yourself back to balance, and we have a few techniques you can use to reclaim this balance in a simple way.
Stress And The Primitive Mind
In order to center yourself, it’s important to learn why stress affects us the way it does. While the human mind is one of the most incredibly complex and intricate systems in nature, it actually remains relatively primitive in the way it responds to stress. Thousands of years ago, our stresses were backed in life-or-death situations, and the adrenaline and cortisol burst that pumps through the brain in times of stress had the purpose of helping us to either fight the threat, or run away. This fight or flight response may have worked in the presence of physical danger, but it’s certainly not as effective to a compassionate leader facing a workplace problem!
3 Ways To Keep Centered
When you feel this natural response to stress occurring, there are several things you can do to keep it in its tracks, and bring yourself back to a centered place. 3 ways to keep yourself centered during times of stress are:
1. Deep breathing
Place one hand on your stomach, and take deep breaths in and out from the diaphragm. What this does is slows the heart rate, distracts the stress response, and provides slow and steady oxygen to the body. Try to make sure all movement is coming from the stomach, and that your chest and shoulders remain still.
2. Mindful meditation
Mindful meditation, particularly that using mala beads, can also be a big help in centering yourself. Simply repeating your mantra and giving your mind a free space for a little while can stop the stress response in its tracks.
3. Core rooting
Core rooting can really help you to remain a compassionate leader during times of stress, as you center yourself using a combination of visualization and sensory recognition. Stand upright and imagine you’re a tree, then scan your consciousness down your legs to your “roots”, or feet. Feel them on the sturdy ground and remember that you are right here, in the present, and standing strong.
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