People do all sorts of destructive things to deal with stress: they overeat, abuse drugs and alcohol, and push harder instead of slowing down. What we learned from a major medical officer (CMO) study is that people can leverage their emotional intelligence to deal with stress and avoid burnout.
You can also try the following:
Do not be the source of your stress.
Too many of us create our own stress, with a complete body response, simply by thinking about or anticipating future episodes or encounters that could be stressful. People who have a high need for achievement or perfectionist tendencies may be more likely to create their own stress. We learned from this study that leaders who are attuned to the pressures they put on themselves are better able to control their stress level.
As described by a CMO, "I have realized that much of my stress is self-inflicted for years of being hard on myself. Now that I know the problems that cause me stress, I can get out of that circle when I want to. "
Recognize your limitations.
Being more aware of your strengths and weaknesses will tell you where you need help. In the study, CMOs described the transition from a clinical role to a leadership role as a major source of their stress. Those who recognized when the demands exceeded their capabilities, not only did they surround themselves with trusted advisors and asked for help.
Take deep breaths when you feel your tension and anxiety increase rapidly.
Meditation practices help us deal with immediate stressors and long-term difficulties. Several of the study participants described the use of meditation techniques to lower their heart rate and reduce their level of stress when faced with a stressor. As described by a CMO, "practicing meditation allows me to be more open to other solutions and I do not waste time in the defense mode." At first, for example, it may be difficult to become aware of your breathing, but remember that meditation is the ultimate act of self-control.
Reassess your perspective on the situation.
Do you see a particular situation as a threat? Or do you see it as a problem to solve? Changing your perspective on whether you are experiencing distress or stress (moderate and positive stress) can have an eye-opening effect on your ability to lower your stress level. A CMO described the change in thinking: "What once felt like stress is now a good stress; I am motivated to think that it is a problem that needs to be resolved. "
Minimizes conflicts by putting yourself in the other person's shoes.
Conflict stress often leads to exhaustion so it is best to minimize them when you can. Be curious, ask questions, listen deeply. Keep your attention to the other person and focus on what he is trying to tell you. By trying to understand your perspective, you will be in a much better position to gain your trust and influence. One CMO uses this approach consistently. He described how sharpening his empathic listening skills has allowed him to foster greater collaboration and networking with his colleagues. In a recent situation, he said a doctor burst into his office and said, "You must do this or the babies are going to die." Instead of reacting defensively and potentially causing more damage, he stabilized and focused his attention on seeking to understand the doctor's perspective. His response discouraged the conflict and resulted in a healthier and less stressful conversation.
By using and developing your Emotional Intelligence, you can put an end to exhaustion, in yourself and in others. Remember, though: Improving Emotional Intelligence takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself, forgive and be kind. The last thing you want to do is to improve your Emotional Intelligence to become another source of stress