The Y-Factor

"Serenity Now"... How to keep your cool in high pressure situations at work
by Yelena Bash

Remember "we can dramatically change the quality of our lives when we consciously seek to restore serenity to our daily endeavors." *

Everyone is under some kind of pressure or stress in the workplace. Typical triggers of stress include: lack of control over work, excessive time pressures or inflexible working hours, too much responsibility, difficult relationships at work, and uncertainty over job prospects. What do you do when these triggers start?

I’m sure we’ve all watched the show “Seinfeld” at one time or another. There might actually be some truth to the “serenity now” episode. In the episode, George’s father, Frank, is advised to repeat this saying when he is stressed in order to keep his blood pressure from rising. At the end of the show it was determined that the “serenity now” method may not be healthy because it bottles up emotions.

However, I have a new and refined method of “serenity now” that is sure to work. Rather than bottling up emotions, close your eyes and take a couple of deep breathes while repeating the phrase “serenity now.” This is a type of meditation that helps you to figure out what you are feeling without quickly overreacting to the situation. Do not bottle up your feelings, but get a hold of them through this breathing technique so that you can learn to let go of the petty things and cope with the bigger issues.

Try the following: close your eyes and listen to your body talk. Stop thinking about all the things you have to do today, and focus on your heart beating, your muscles shifting, and your blood racing. Slowly bring in air, feel it fill your lungs, feel your abdomen (not your chest) rise, then gently release the air. Keep it up until you feel you've been taken away from it all.
Meditation can lower your heart rate, improve memory, strengthen your immune system, and help to transcend day-to-day crises. Deep breathing also sends more oxygen to the brain so you can think clearer and be more alert.

More than half of us who work suffer from stress. Job stress can lead to poor health and even injury. In the past 20 years, many studies have looked at the relationship between job stress and a variety of ailments. Mood and sleep disturbances, upset stomach and headache, and disturbed relationships with family and friends are examples of stress-related problems that are quick to develop and are commonly seen in these studies. Prevent these problems by remembering “serenity now” when you are starting to feel stressed or overwhelmed.

P.S. Since we don't want you to stress out trying to remember this great tip, we created a Serenity Now cheat-sheet. Just print, cut and put in your wallet or somewhere accessible and next time you feel overwhelmed pull it out. Don't forget to pass it around.