How a 15 Minute Pause Helps Stress and Selfcare
When did you last savor breakfast, enjoy a fun day out, spend quality time with loved ones? Are you happy with the life you are leading now? We believe that our 24/7 lifestyles are proving to be a genuine challenge to well-being and self-care.
In fact, research shows that 75 percent of Americans experience some sort of physical symptoms related to stress in any given month, and 73 percent experience psychological or mental symptoms, according to the American Psychological Association, Stress in America, 2012.
Pause and think about it. Three out of four people are experiencing stress at such a high level that it is having a negative effect on their health, relationships and work.
Are you one of the three?
So, what can you do when exhaustion sets in? Who can do everything and be everything to everybody without first taking care of themselves? Let's remember too that life is short and the faster the pace the more we miss. The challenge lies in how to deal with life's demands and still find joy.
There is no simple answer, rather each person needs to take a step back and ponder these questions “Am I enjoying my work, my relationships, do I have enough play, or creativity in my life? If not, then what am I going to do about it?” In our opinion, personal accountability is needed to foster a less stressed more joy-filled life.
If you want more time, and less stress then start by making different choices. Our choices have consequences. We've struggled to find balance too, it's not easy. But, there are doable solutions to the exhaustion, overwhelm and stress.
We came up with some questions to help us navigate this constantly changing environment. We call these 8 questions the 'Positive Player Questions' or PPQ's.
Ask yourself these often. The more you use them the better you will become at prioritizing what's best for you.
1.Will I be glad that I did it?
2.Is this a must-do, or can I leave it for later?
3.Is this the best use of my time?
4.Will I have regrets if I don’t do this?
5.Will a delay cause more or less stress?
6.Is it okay to say no to this?
7.What is stopping me from moving forward?
8.Is this a top priority? If yes, just do it.
These questions have helped us to PAUSE and to put ourselves on our list of priorities.
In our experience, even a 15-minute pause every day away from our daily demands, schedules and worries can change life for the better. Isn't it healthier to go to lunch instead of working through it, to take a walk, or just sit and be? Taking time out each day to have fun, re-frame and reengage with yourself, family and friends will re-energize you and make your life more joy-filled. If not now, then when? You deserve it!
Michelle Burke and Lilamani de Silva are the authors of 15 Minute Pause, A Radical Reboot for Busy People.
Michelle is a Communication and Workplace Consultant, Leadership Coach and Speaker for over 20yrs. She is also CEO of Energy Catalyst Group. Clients include Stanford University, Visa, Sony, Disney, Microsoft and Genentech. She was featured in Business Week Magazine, the LA Times, SF Chronicle, and Wall Street Journal. Her articles have appeared in Training, HR, and Chief Learning Officer Magazines and on Huffpost and Forbes.com. Please connect with her Michelle@energycatalystgroup.com.
Lilamani and Michelle have worked together for 17 yrs co-creating games and educational products. She has worked in Public Relations at London Zoo, Produced Natural History Documentaries for Discovery, ITV and other channels, is an Artist and holds a Masters in Science for Biochemistry.
In fact, research shows that 75 percent of Americans experience some sort of physical symptoms related to stress in any given month, and 73 percent experience psychological or mental symptoms, according to the American Psychological Association, Stress in America, 2012.
Pause and think about it. Three out of four people are experiencing stress at such a high level that it is having a negative effect on their health, relationships and work.
Are you one of the three?
So, what can you do when exhaustion sets in? Who can do everything and be everything to everybody without first taking care of themselves? Let's remember too that life is short and the faster the pace the more we miss. The challenge lies in how to deal with life's demands and still find joy.
There is no simple answer, rather each person needs to take a step back and ponder these questions “Am I enjoying my work, my relationships, do I have enough play, or creativity in my life? If not, then what am I going to do about it?” In our opinion, personal accountability is needed to foster a less stressed more joy-filled life.
If you want more time, and less stress then start by making different choices. Our choices have consequences. We've struggled to find balance too, it's not easy. But, there are doable solutions to the exhaustion, overwhelm and stress.
We came up with some questions to help us navigate this constantly changing environment. We call these 8 questions the 'Positive Player Questions' or PPQ's.
Ask yourself these often. The more you use them the better you will become at prioritizing what's best for you.
1.Will I be glad that I did it?
2.Is this a must-do, or can I leave it for later?
3.Is this the best use of my time?
4.Will I have regrets if I don’t do this?
5.Will a delay cause more or less stress?
6.Is it okay to say no to this?
7.What is stopping me from moving forward?
8.Is this a top priority? If yes, just do it.
These questions have helped us to PAUSE and to put ourselves on our list of priorities.
In our experience, even a 15-minute pause every day away from our daily demands, schedules and worries can change life for the better. Isn't it healthier to go to lunch instead of working through it, to take a walk, or just sit and be? Taking time out each day to have fun, re-frame and reengage with yourself, family and friends will re-energize you and make your life more joy-filled. If not now, then when? You deserve it!
Michelle Burke and Lilamani de Silva are the authors of 15 Minute Pause, A Radical Reboot for Busy People.
Michelle is a Communication and Workplace Consultant, Leadership Coach and Speaker for over 20yrs. She is also CEO of Energy Catalyst Group. Clients include Stanford University, Visa, Sony, Disney, Microsoft and Genentech. She was featured in Business Week Magazine, the LA Times, SF Chronicle, and Wall Street Journal. Her articles have appeared in Training, HR, and Chief Learning Officer Magazines and on Huffpost and Forbes.com. Please connect with her Michelle@energycatalystgroup.com.
Lilamani and Michelle have worked together for 17 yrs co-creating games and educational products. She has worked in Public Relations at London Zoo, Produced Natural History Documentaries for Discovery, ITV and other channels, is an Artist and holds a Masters in Science for Biochemistry.
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