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Ways You Can Reduce Stress During This Election
Believe
it or not some people actually get stressed a week before
the election. I
know, it seems crazy. But even during this hectic time,
there is a list of things they can do to reduce stress.
Some stress can help you stay motivated, but past a
threshold it becomes counter-productive. Time and resources
are short in this last week, and you and your campaign
need to be running at maximum efficiency. These suggestions
can make a big difference and only require a small investment
of your time.
7.
Stay Nourished
Low
blood sugar can give you a headache and cause you to
feel weak, disoriented, drowsy, and irritable. Not to
mention that you need energy to keep up with the frantic
pre-election pace. If your body isn’t fully nourished
you are more likely to become stressed. An unconscious
part of you is actually stressed about the fact that
you are hungry! Don’t add to your tension.
6.
Stay Hydrated
A
mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term
memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing
on the computer screen or on a printed page. Just like
not being nourished causes unconscious stress, so does
being dehydrated.
5.
Laugh
There
are over 5000 laughing clubs in 40 countries worldwide.
Studies have shown that the very act of laughing relieves
stress, boosts your immune system, and raises your mood
EVEN WHEN YOU ARE FORCING IT! There is almost no physiological
difference between an involuntary laugh and forcing
a good hardy chuckle. There isn’t enough room
in this newsletter to go into all of the positive benefits
of laughing, but it will reduce stress, so tell a joke
to your friends or fake a laugh in your car on the way
to work.
4.
This Stress Is TEMPORARY
Repeat
this mantra over and over, “This Stress Is TEMPORARY.”
Remind yourself that this stressful situation isn’t
a permanent state of being, but rather the final lap
of a tremendous marathon. Just the simple act of reminding
yourself will instantly reduce stress.
3.
Get Exercise – Go for a walk
Yes,
I get it - you’re way, way too busy for a walk.
This walk doesn’t have to be an hour long routine
with a shower and a change of clothes. A 10 minute walk
will do wonders for your stress, health, and perspective
in any situation. You can even use the time to figure
out problems back in the office, but get your body moving
and you’ll see your stress evaporate.
2.
Unwinding Time / Favorite Activity
It
is very important to spend 20 minutes a day unwinding
- doing anything you like to do, like watching TV, reading,
playing an instrument, playing with your children -
anything that you enjoy doing and is NOT campaign related.
You will be able to fall asleep easier at night and
better focus while at your job.
1.
Get Enough Sleep
Some
people can function better than others without sleep,
but everyone needs it. Think about the difference in
your own productivity without enough sleep, and ask
yourself if those 2 extra hours of sleep that you’re
missing are helping to avoid 2 hours of mistakes during
your day.
Our
busy, modern lives make it much harder to get the sleep
we need. Before the industrial revolution adults were
sleeping an average of 10 hours a night and afterwards
only 8. And after the invention of the light bulb the
average adult only sleeps between 6 and 7 hours a night.
The
amount of sleep you get dramatically alters your daily
experience, and is the difference between a challenging
day and a stressful one.
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