Posts Tagged ‘managing stress’
How to Break Free from Secondhand Stress: What It Is and Where It Comes From
Dear Dr. Sylvia, Everyone has secondhand stress these days. It’s not that different than getting sick from someone smoking near you. I can be happy and positive, and then someone will enter the meeting with a frown and a bag full of negatives, and suddenly, my smile leaves, and I can feel that annoying knot…
Read MoreGratitude is the Heart of Thanksgiving: Wishing You a Day Filled with Joy
Dear All, As the season of giving thanks arrives, it’s a beautiful reminder to pause, reflect, and cherish the moments that make life truly meaningful. Thanksgiving is more than just a feast or a holiday tradition. It’s an opportunity to connect deeply—with ourselves, our loved ones, and the world around us. The Power of Gratitude…
Read MoreWant Less Stress, and Feel “SO ZEN”: How to Keep The Stress Hormone Cortisol in Check
Summary: Stress is a natural part of life, and our bodies are designed to handle it, at least in short bursts. At the center of this response lies cortisol, the primary hormone responsible for regulating stress. However, in today’s world of relentless deadlines, 24/7 connectivity, and mounting pressures, cortisol levels can remain chronically high, leading…
Read MoreWhy Leaders Offer Help with Stress But Ignore Its Triggers: A Wake-Up Call
Summary: Stress is no stranger to the modern workplace. Deadlines, performance reviews, and balancing personal and professional lives create a pressure cooker environment. Many leaders recognize stress’s toll on their teams, offering perks like yoga classes, meditation apps, or flexible work hours. Yet, one crucial element often gets overlooked: the root causes of stress. The…
Read MoreWhy Business Leaders Struggle to See How Family Patterns Show Up at Work — And Why It Matters
Summary: As a business leader, you juggle a multitude of responsibilities—strategizing for growth, inspiring teams, managing resources, and navigating conflict. Yet, a hidden element influences how you handle these challenges: patterns from your family of origin. These ingrained patterns shape your reactions to conflict, guide your communication style, and influence your decision-making processes. Despite their…
Read MoreThe Power of Glimmers: How Intuition Can Lead to Great Discoveries
Summary: Throughout history, many groundbreaking discoveries, made not solely through logical reasoning or methodical experimentation, came from intuitive “glimmers.” These seemingly fleeting moments of insight that connect head, heart, and gut play pivotal roles in shaping science, art, and innovation. You can use these glimmers as a leader in your own life to make a…
Read MoreHire Slow and Fire Fast: The Key to Long-Term Success
Summary: “Hire Slow, Fire Fast.” is a strategy that may seem counterintuitive in today’s rapid, results-driven environment. Yet, it’s an approach that many successful companies swear by for sustained growth and long-term success. Let’s look at how it can lead to better team dynamics, stronger performance, and a healthier work culture. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I…
Read MoreWhy Stress Costs Organizations Billions of Dollars AND What To Do About It
Summary: Let’s discuss the benefits of a stress management program for you and your staff. You need the best tools to control frustration, anger, and general upset as a leader. It’s not enough to say, “Stress is over the top,” and let it go. Dig under the obvious to find and release the invisible stress…
Read MoreWhat You Can’t See Could Hurt You: The Importance of Learning About Invisible Stress
Summary: Workplace stress has become a widespread issue. But what about the stress that goes unnoticed? The stress that lingers beneath the surface can impact your health, productivity, and even your relationships at work. This “invisible stress” is a silent force that can wreak havoc on an organization if left unchecked. Understanding and managing it…
Read MoreHow JUBLA (Judgment, Blame, or Attack) Will Make You Angrier and Keep You Feeling Like a Victim, And What to Do About It
Summary: When things don’t go as planned, it’s all too easy to slip into patterns of judgment, blame, or attack (JUBLA). These behaviors, however, are toxic. Not only do they escalate conflict, but they also keep you locked in a cycle of anger, frustration, and victimhood. Learn to move from victim to explorer using pattern…
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