Season 3 Episode 7: 7 Ways to Optimize Stress for Top Performance

In Season 3 Episode 7 of the The Drink Like a Lady Podcast, we talk about
7 tips to optimize stress for top performance.

1. KNOW WHAT STRESS IS

• stress is a hormonal jolt of adrenaline and cortisol brought on by our nervous system to deal with actual or perceived threats.
• The calm that ensues after stress allows us to tap into our decision-making brain
• Chronic stress is the pathway to burnout.
• Our stress-response capabilities expand when they get “practice.”

2. KNOW YOUR STRESS TRIGGERS AND OTHERS' STRESS TRIGGERS

1. Know yourself as to your stress triggers,
2. Become aware of stress triggers for others on your team

What this did immediately was energize me for those tough conversations with others who also needed to be “redirected” into different responsibilities- more in line with what their less stressful and superfluous responsibilities.

3. HOW TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH YOUR STRESS TRIGGERS

Ask yourself some key questions.

1. During your work week, how often do you feel well rested?
2. How often do you feel totally engrossed in your work or in a state of flow? How long do these periods last? And what time of day or night do they occur?
3. What are the biggest sources of stress in your life?
4. How do you cope with stress? Do your coping mechanisms energize you or deplete you?
5. How often do you recognize your stress in the moment vs knowing that you are through that stressful period of time?

Locating and describing your stress is a process of discovery and the more you learn the better you will live through your own stress response.

4. HOW TO RECOVER FROM STRESS

Create Conditions for Rest and Recovery

1. Block time for deep work
2. Reduce distractions
3. Take a break from videoconferencing
4. Learn to say no.
5. How much of your life are you enjoying? Laughing.

5. HOW TO BUILD IN RECOVERY

Before the pandemic, we had built-in pauses- our commute, the wait in the elevator, business trips on an airplane, time to briefly chat with others as our workday unfolded. All of these (and more) offered cognitive recovery. Now we must plan them consciously. Here are some tips for creating those recovery periods AFTER the pandemic.

1. Take micro breaks during the day
2. Make sure that sleep is a priority
3. Exercise regularly
4. Eat better and drink lots of water
5. Socialize outside of work

Use the time immediately after a stressful situation to reflect and consider the behaviors for recovery that work...and those that don’t. Other choices to minimize stress are to stick to a predefined work schedule and create “end of day” rituals that make sure

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