Dealing With Stress During Covid-19, Christmas, And As We Embrace A New Year

It felt pretty stressful, right?

Consider for a moment, the situation itself isn’t stressful – the "stress" comes from our response.

What Exactly Is Stress?

Stress is your physical, mental, or emotional reaction to any change that occurs in your environment, or indeed in your thoughts.

As we reflect on the past 12 months and look toward a new year, which will undoubtedly bring situations which will challenge us, we know there are difficult times ahead.

How Can We Deal With Stress More Effectively?

First, know that stress isn’t your fault. The pandemic is outside of your control and Christmas is coming, virtually or otherwise. However, your reaction to stress, the pandemic and whatever comes at you next year, is something you can control, which is good news!

Change Your Mind(set).

When life becomes challenging it is an opportunity for growth, an opportunity to experience something and respond differently. The easiest way to do that is to become curious about what would happen if you respond differently. Stop and ask yourself what result might you get?

Imagine two employees who work for the same manager, one genuinely thinks he is hilarious, the other finds his jokes completely nauseating, which one of theses employee has a better day at work?

Not only will a growth mindset change your day - it changes your brain! As Carol Dweck points out in her book Mindset, a growth mindset will make you more intelligent.

At Christmas in 2018 I travelled to Plum Village, a magical place which is located one hundred kilometres outside of Bordeaux, France. The brothers and sisters at this monastery wear brown and shave their head as to remove any notion of taking sides. Zen Buddhists don’t refer to their practice as a religion and some of the monastics continue to practice as Christians and Muslims with full acceptance from their peers.

The teaching and practices which I learned at this wonderful place have been so valuable to me this year. The monastics who live in Plum Village, what has now become Europe’s largest eco-village, strive to live a life that is centred on we, not I. Something which can get lost in the busyness of our modern environment.

While there I took vows called the Five Mindfulness Trainings. Which are a modern expression of the Buddha’s teaching which ask us to contribute to people outside of ourselves and unlearning habits and behaviours that don’t serve us or the planet well.

The Five Mindfulness Trainings are:

1. Reverence for Life
2. True Happiness
3. True Love
4. Loving Speech and Deep Listening
5. Nourishment and Healing

If you are interested there are learning more about them, you can listen here.

Inspired by The Five Mindfulness Trainings here are five practical steps you could take over this virtual holiday period, or at any time you choose as you embrace the uncertain future.

Step 1. Have Fun.

2020 showed us how to slow down and cherish the moments we have together, they are so precious. Enjoy each of those moments, wholeheartedly.

Step 2. Be Your Authentic Self.

Happiness can never be found in measuring oneself against another, we are each too complex. So don't compare - create.

“I will not reason and compare: my business is to create.”

William James

Step 3.

Work On The Inside.

Don’t see mediation as an extra task on your to-do list, spend some time getting really comfortable with yourself, it’s a practice.

Step 4.

Put Your Phone Down.

What better gift for your loved ones this Christmas than your full undistracted presence?

Step 5.

Close All Tabs.

If there are tasks unfinished write a list of where you will start tomorrow. In the morning cross off the things you don’t need to do, and focus on what matters.

Much of the external work to solve the ongoing global challenges is out of your hands, but the internal work is up to you.

As 2020 draws to a close, I wish you and yours a safe and Merry Christmas. Thank you to my customers who supported their employees with Mindful Leadership Training and Coaching from Georgie & Me, thank you to the friends and colleagues, mentors and teachers who made tough times a lot brighter. Here's to 2021 🥂

Remember…

The Best Things In Life Are Free

— Janet Jackson