Why so stressed?

This week has been one of the busiest at work for me in a long time. I’m on holiday for the next two weeks and it’s been about 3 years since I had 2 weeks off at once. So much to prepare for a handover and so much to try and tie up neatly. Not that it ever happens in my role, so getting it as close to neat as possible is the best I can do.

We plan our holidays months or even years in advance so we know when we will be off. However, you can’t prepare for what is happening at work. Anything is possible. The last few weeks I have been narrowing my priorities down so I can focus on them and not start anything new…tricky in HR as there is always something ‘new’ happening.

But the pressure we put on ourselves to get everything complete to make it easier for others and ourselves for when we return is unbelievable. It’s a good job we have a holiday coming up as we need it from the stress we put ourselves under.

So what can we do to make the run up to a holiday less stressful? Here are some tips to help:

1. Breathe – I know this might seem so obvious, but we tend to hold our breath more or breathe shallower when we are stressed out. So take 2-5 minutes to just breathe deeply and slowly. Try to make your out breath longer than your in breath. Notice your lungs filling up and then slowly breathe out. If you’re working, then take 2 minutes every few hours to focus on your breathing. If you use Microsoft Teams they have a breathing meditation on there where it takes one minute and helps you to de-stress.
2. Write a list – I love a list. But if you write down everything you want to do before you go as well as a list of everything you need to take with you on your holidays, you will feel more organised. With all the things you want to do whether at work or home, make sure you are being realistic. If you try to do too much you are adding stress to your day. By writing a list of things to take, it will make sure you don’t pack too much or at least help be a little more organised.
3. Take a moment – have a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy it. Notice how each mouthful tastes. Take your time. Or why not give a friend a quick call and have a wee catch up. Take yourself away from your packing or your work and do something else.
4. Ask for help – don’t be afraid to ask a colleague or team member for help. Can you pass things over to them? Type up an email with all the information they would need and do a handover. Speak to your manager if you feel overwhelmed. Ask them what’s most important if you are unsure. Perhaps they can help you delegate or can say what can wait until you are home. Ask your partner to help whether it’s packing or going to the shops to pick up last minute bits or even just for a hug. They are there to help take away the stress. Thanks Scott 😘.
5. Pack and check the night before – get all your clothes and accessories in your suitcase all ready to go the night before. Make it easy by only having the minimal amount of things to put in your case last minute. And always weigh it the night before so you know if you have to take things out. Don’t do what I did and realise after the toiletries went in that I was 5kg over… then had a very stressful hour before I was due to leave having to take stuff out and repack!
6. Walk – go for a walk and help yourself to burn off that nervous excited or stressed energy. Take 20 minutes and walk, why not stick your headphones in and listen to music or a funny podcast. Exercise is great when you are feeling anxious.
7. Laugh – when all else fails just laugh! What’s the worst that can happen? You forget to pack something or you don’t pass over some information at work. Laugh. It doesn’t matter. People will understand and will manage. Watch a comedy or get your partner to make you chuckle! It will definitely help lighten the mood.

Whenever you next have holidays and are feeling stressed, stop and take a moment and think about what is important. It’s not worth getting stressed about. Breathe deep, grab a cuppa, go for a walk and most importantly, look after you!

Have a lovely week and take care.

Love Emma xx