Take Regular Breaks: Taking regular breaks throughout the day is essential in order to maintain focus and productivity while reducing stress. Make sure to step away from your desk for at least five minutes every hour or two, take a walk around the office, grab some fresh air, or even just close your eyes for a few moments of relaxation.
With all that’s going on in our country, in our economy, in the world, and on social media, it feels like so many of us are under a great deal of stress. We know that chronic stress can be as unhealthy as smoking a quarter of a pack a day. For many of us, our work, our livelihood, is a particular cause of stress. Of course, a bit of stress is just fine, but what are stress management strategies that leaders use to become “Stress-Proof” at work? What are some great tweaks, hacks, and tips that help to reduce or even eliminate stress from work? As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Joshua Haley.
Joshua Haley, founder of Moving Astute, is a professional content writer with a masters degree in writing studies and more than seven years of experience in copywriting.
He previously worked as a freelancer, where he wrote about moving, home decor, city guides and real estate. Joshua has moved several times to and from different states in the U.S., so he has enough knowledge about the different aspects of moving industry.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to know how you got from “there to here.” Inspire us with your backstory!
Well, I started Moving Astute about four years ago as a side project out of my own interest and curiosity to learn about the process of moving. I had always been interested in the logistics side of things and thought a website that could help people make informed decisions when it came to relocating would be helpful.
At first, I was just writing blog posts on my own website to provide people with insight into the different aspects of relocation. But as the website began to grow, I realized that I could use my knowledge to provide a real service. That’s when Moving Astute was created and it’s been an education ever since.
What lessons would you share with yourself if you had the opportunity to meet your younger self?
If I could go back in time and give myself advice, it would be to focus on the long-term goals instead of getting caught up in the short-term successes. It’s easy to get distracted by quick wins and accolades but that can lead you down a slippery slope. It’s important to stay focused on your vision and make sure that you have a game plan for how to achieve it. Additionally, I think it’s important to invest in yourself and your future. Even if it takes time and resources away from growing the business, personal development should be a top priority. Lastly, don’t let fear hold you back. If you’re passionate about something, then go after it with all your might. You never know what you may discover on the other side.
None of us are able to experience success without support along the way. Is there a particular person for whom you are grateful because of the support they gave you to grow you from “there to here?” Can you share that story and why you are grateful for them?
I am extremely grateful to my parents for their unwavering support throughout this journey. Even when I was first starting out and not making any money from it, they were the ones who kept encouraging me to keep pushing forward with my vision. They believed in it when others didn’t and that made a huge difference for me. Without their belief in me, I’m not sure I would have had the motivation to keep going.
Ok, thank you for sharing your inspired life. Let’s now talk about stress. How would you define stress?
I would define stress as a feeling of emotional or physical tension and/or strain caused by a situation that requires you to use extra effort in order to cope. It can manifest itself in different ways depending on the person, but it is typically accompanied by feelings of anxiety, worry, fear, frustration, and overwhelm.
In the Western world, humans typically have their shelter, food, and survival needs met. So what has led to this chronic stress? Why are so many of us always stressed out?
I believe that the combination of information overload, constant connectivity, and lack of downtime has led to an environment of chronic stress in many parts of the Western world. We are constantly bombarded with new information from multiple sources and it can be overwhelming to try to keep up. Additionally, due to our always-on society, we feel the need to be constantly available and responsive to others. This lack of downtime can lead to feelings of overwhelm and exhaustion. All these factors combined create a cycle of stress that is difficult to break out of.
What are some of the physical manifestations of being under a lot of stress? How does the human body react to stress?
The human body responds to stress in a variety of ways. Common physical manifestations include tight muscles, headaches, increased heart rate and breathing rate, increased perspiration, stomach upset, and general fatigue. Stress can also lead to sleep disturbances such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. It is important to recognize the signs of stress so that you can take steps to reduce it before it takes a toll on your health.
Is stress necessarily a bad thing? Can stress ever be good for us?
While it can feel unpleasant, stress can actually be beneficial in certain situations. It is the body’s natural response to a challenge and can help you stay focused and alert. In moderation, stress can help motivate you and push you to achieve your goals. However, when it reaches extreme levels it becomes toxic and can lead to negative health effects, so it is important to find a healthy balance between stress and rest.
Is there a difference between being in a short term stressful situation versus an ongoing stress? Are there long term ramifications to living in a constant state of stress?
Yes, there is a difference between being in a short term stressful situation versus an ongoing stress. A short term stressful situation will typically elicit the body’s natural “fight or flight” response, which allows us to have bursts of energy and focus that help us get through difficult situations. However, when faced with prolonged periods of stress it can cause us to become exhausted and overwhelmed, leading to physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. Long term stress can lead to a variety of health issues such as anxiety, depression, weight gain, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and more. It is important to address chronic stress in order to maintain your physical and mental wellbeing.
Is it even possible to eliminate stress?
Yes, it is possible to eliminate or reduce stress. The most important thing is to be mindful of the things that create stress in your life and to make conscious decisions about how you respond to them. This can be done through simple steps such as taking breaks throughout the day for self-care, engaging in physical activity, maintaining a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep. Additionally, it’s important to be mindful of your thoughts and emotions and practice conscious relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation. All of these steps can help you become more stress-proof and better able to navigate life’s challenges.
In your opinion, is this something that we should be raising more awareness about, or is it a relatively small issue? Please explain what you mean.
I believe that reducing stress should be a priority for everyone, as it is essential for our physical and mental wellbeing. Stress can lead to serious health issues if not addressed in a timely manner, so raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of stress and how to respond to them is extremely important. There are many resources available on how to manage stress, so it is important to take the time to learn about them and utilize them whenever necessary. Taking steps to reduce stress can help you live a happier, healthier life.
Let’s talk about stress at work. Numerous studies show that job stress is the major source of stress for American adults and that it has escalated progressively over the past few decades. For you personally, if you are feeling that overall, work is going well, do you feel calm and peaceful, or is there always an underlying feeling of stress? Can you explain what you mean?
When work is going well, I do feel calmed and peaceful. That being said, there is always an underlying feeling of stress because I’m aware that things can change at any moment and new challenges may arise. It’s important to stay mindful of this and be prepared for whatever comes my way. To reduce the overall stress I experience, I take regular breaks throughout the day for self-care, practice mindful relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation, and make sure to get enough sleep. This helps me stay focused and productive so that I can successfully navigate any challenges that arise.
Okay, fantastic. Here is the main question of our interview: Can you share with our readers your “5 stress management strategies that busy leaders can use to become “Stress-Proof” at Work?” Please share a story or example for each.
1. Take Regular Breaks: Taking regular breaks throughout the day is essential in order to maintain focus and productivity while reducing stress. Make sure to step away from your desk for at least five minutes every hour or two, take a walk around the office, grab some fresh air, or even just close your eyes for a few moments of relaxation.
2. Practice Mindful Relaxation Techniques: Engaging in mindful relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation can help reduce stress levels and improve focus. Taking just a few minutes each day to practice these techniques can increase your resilience and help you manage stressful situations more effectively.
3. Maintain a Balanced Diet: Eating the right foods can help reduce stress levels while boosting your energy and focus. Making sure to eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats on a consistent basis will help you stay energized throughout the day and better able to manage stressful situations.
4. Get Enough Sleep: Insufficient sleep can increase stress levels and negatively impact your physical and mental health. To be able to effectively manage stress, it is important to ensure that you are getting enough quality sleep each night, typically 7–9 hours for adults.
5. Prioritize Self-Care: Taking care of yourself should always come first in order to better manage work-related stress. Make sure to set aside time each day or week for activities that make you feel relaxed, such as reading a book, going for a walk, or meeting with friends. Taking steps to prioritize your own wellbeing will help you stay focused and productive throughout the workday.
Do you have any favorite books, podcasts, or resources that have inspired you to live with more joy in life?
I highly recommend the book “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle. It’s a great read that has profoundly impacted my life. I also love the podcast “Happiness Lab” hosted by Dr Laurie Santos, which is all about science-backed strategies for living a happier life. Lastly, I’ve found the website “Headspace” to be a great resource for learning more about mindfulness and meditation. All of these resources have helped me stay focused, productive, and stress-free.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
If I could start a movement, it would be to encourage people to practice self-care. Self-care is essential for maintaining physical and mental health, reducing stress levels, and improving productivity at work. If more people made an effort to prioritize their own wellbeing through activities such as mindfulness and meditation, they would be better able to handle stressful situations, stay focused and productive, and live a happier life.
What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online?
The best way for readers to keep up with my work is to follow Moving Astute online. We are constantly sharing new content related to stress management, productivity, and other topics that help busy leaders be successful. You can find us on Twitter (@MovingAstute), Facebook (facebook.com/movingastute), Instagram (@movingastute), and our website at movingastute.com. Don’t forget to join our email list for exclusive content and offers! We look forward to connecting with you.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
Thank you for your kind words! I’m passionate about helping busy leaders reduce stress and achieve success, so it was my pleasure to share some of my insights with you. Wishing you all the best!