Master the art of staying productive under pressure
Did you ever have times when there was so much happening all at once that you didn’t know where to start and how to stay calm?
I’ve had those moments over the last few years.
Having submissions at work and for university at the same time takes a lot of work to juggle. The whole year, everything was working well parallel to each other, and now suddenly, the submissions are in the same week.
Staying productive and not falling into unhealthy behaviors is the goal we want to tackle with the 3 strategies I’m using.
A few years ago, I would have started
- sleeping less
- working long hours
- and stress-eating
After going through those unhealthy times, I know now that this is not how I can give my best.
Here is what I’m doing now instead:
Keeping my routines
I’m keeping my morning and evening routine. I’m still doing my meditation, affirmations, exercises, and writing habits.
I’m maybe decreasing the time in total, but I need the routines to keep me healthy, motivated, and calm.
A calm start in the morning can help me stay focused longer and be more productive. Having this time for myself makes me more productive in the long run.
And instead of decreasing my sleeping time, I’m consciously sleeping more than 7 hours. My body needs to rest to process everything I did and learned.
I’m in control of my day by starting when I’m ready and ending when I feel tired.
I won’t be controlled by stress and unhealthy patterns anymore, which will help me be more productive and get done faster.
Keeping your routines is the best way to avoid unhealthy habits you establish while being stressed. Try to avoid them because otherwise there is the possibility that they stick, and it’s hard to get rid of them again.
For example, smoking started for a lot of people as a coping mechanism. It relaxes them. But after the stressful period is over, you become addicted, and you continue smoking even though you don’t need it anymore to calm you down.
Sticking to healthy routines and habits you already established beforehand helps your brain have more space for productivity, learning, and rethinking.
Your mind needs less power if you do what you already know. That’s why habits are so important. Not just at staying calm but also at getting more done and being successful.
“If you protect your routine, eventually it will protect you.”
– Barbara Oakley
Taking conscious breaks to calm down
Working in a team and at the university was really unhealthy for me. I was pushing my limits as an introvert by being outside of my home with people in a loud room for more than 12 hours.
I didn’t eat properly and was pushing to finish as soon as possible without breaks.
Don’t make the same mistake!
Take your own time and set boundaries! Listen to your body and mind!
As soon as the submission was over, I was sick. This happened every semester. Just like people get sick on their holidays because suddenly they are not stressed anymore.
I’m currently working from home on my laptop in a quiet room with calm music to get as much focused time as possible. And I take breaks whenever I need to relax or go for a walk.
I can also take a break to spend time with my boyfriend and watch Netflix. Leaving my brain some time to relax too.
It also helps to do some cleaning as a break. You will get something done, but your brain won’t have to think for a while.
In stressful times, the normal reaction is to cut breaks, healthy routines, and food to get more time for work. But actually, the opposite happens.
Your brain has to work harder to get out of your routine and keep your body healthy. It doesn’t have the habits anymore to fall back and relax in automation mode, and it gets unhealthy food (=energy) to keep going through the day.
If you are stressed, the best thing you can do is relax and keep up your routines.
“You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes every day — unless you’re too busy; then you should sit for an hour.”
— Zen Proverb
Ask for help
Asking for help was the last strategy I established to help me stay calm during stressful periods. I just didn’t like asking people.
We think if we ask for help, we are weak, and we show our vulnerability. But it’s actually the opposite.
You are showing others your authentic self by not being perfect, and you help them to contribute. People love to help. They feel needed.
I know it’s not easy, especially for those who think “I can do everything better”. But it’s not about doing something perfect, but having less (unhealthy) stress and doing your best.
What I experienced is that if you ask for help, you give the other person new responsibilities, and they will grow. Through those opportunities, you help others improve their skills, and this will help you in the future too.
Asking for help is showing strength, letting others grow, and helping you to have less stress now. It’s a win-win.
“Asking for help is an act of service. Don’t deny the people who love you the honor of being there to support you.”
— Simon Sinek
Conclusion
Those are my 3 go-to strategies to calmly get through stressful times. There are a lot more strategies, and not all of them are for everyone.
A lot of people are taking gym breaks to get their stress out of their system by pushing physical boundaries.
Whatever it is: add it to your routine before entering a stressful period, and you will have a healthy habit to relieve stress when needed.
“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.”
— Mark Black
Less Stress. More Time. Less Overwhelmed!
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