Beat Stress By Being You
Posted on August 10, 2012 by Sheila Walmsley, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
Can you just be yourself in order to beat stress?
Most of us have found ourselves in situations where we get stressed out, although looking back on the situation we wonder why, because it wasn’t that big of a deal. Sometimes it might be very valid that we are stressed and other times it’s because we are picking up on the feelings of those around us. Can you remember a time when you were being rushed out the door by a loved one or your co-worker kept reminding you how nervous she was about completing the project you are working on to the highest standards or at your last family get-together Aunt Martha kept making snide remarks about your brother’s new job she disapproves of? Did you begin to pick up on the stress that your family members and co-workers were feeling?
How can you “be you” and beat stress in these situations?
Look through your own eyes. When you take on the stress (or another feeling) of another person, what you are really doing is stepping into their shoes and looking through their eyes at the situation, metaphorically speaking, resulting in you taking on their stress vibes. People who are naturally empathetic do this quite often and without being aware of it. This is very beneficial in situations when empathy is required, and being able to consciously choose when to “walk in the shoes of another” is a better balance.
Next time you are beginning to feel you are ‘taking on’ the emotions of someone else, remind yourself to look through your eyes, feel your feet on the ground in your shoes. Ask yourself (in your head, or aloud if you like), “how do I feel right now in this moment?” These techniques will bring you back to you, so that you can respond in a way that is appropriate for your unique self, not someone else.
