Pub. 3 2018 Issue 5

11 ISSUE 5 2018 A simple tuna sandwich really is brain food and due to the Omega-3s can reduce the symptoms of stress. Drink – No, not what you are thinking. Instead of coffee or energy drinks, try green tea. It does not have the high levels of caffeine that they do and contains antioxidants and an amino acid that has a calming effect on the nervous system. Exercise – Try yoga, Pilates and tai chi instead of high im- pact exercises. These “mindful” exercises for body and mind could lead to lifestyle changes that will help in the long run, not just the short term. Consider joining a class. Call a Friend – Take a break and call a friend. A reassuring voice can put everything into perspective. Sleep Better – This is one of the most effective stress busters. Lack of sleep is a key cause of stress. All of us need at least seven or eight hours of restful sleep to recharge our batteries. Try to give yourself time to relax before going to bed, turn out the lights and turn off the television. Talk Yourself Through It – Sometimes that special friend may not be available so just talk to yourself. Tell yourself why you are feeling stress at the moment, what you have to do to complete the task at hand, and that everything will be okay. Organizational Changes – To reduce potential future anxiety, you may want to change when and how you do some things. Plan ahead and anticipate issues that may be stress inducing. Make a list of things to be done in order to avoid those potential stressors. Let Go – Let go of the things that you cannot change or have no control over. Cross them off of your list and put them out of your mind. Kissing and Hugging – No, we are not suggesting that you unexpectedly kiss your coworkers, but spontaneously kissing your significant other when you first get home from work has been proven to lower stress levels due to a sense of connect- edness. It releases those wonderful endorphins that fight off depression and stress. Positive Quotes &Affirmations – Develop a more posi- tive mindset by collecting and reading positive affirmations. Positive words, phrases and stories can change your mood but they can also change your life. To order Elaine’s coloring book for property management or to inquire about any of our other property management topics, e-learning courses, training sessions, seminars or webinars, please visit www.occupancysolutions.com or call 1-800-865-0948 today. operty nals stress levels. Deep breathing oxygenates your blood, clears your mind and helps center your body. Do this three minute exercise with your eyes closed: 1. Sit up in your chair with your feet flat on the floor. 2. Place your hands palms down on top of your knees. 3. Breathe in and out slowly and deeply. Daydream– We all need an escape now and then. Stop and think about where you would like to be right now. Visualize the place then mentally plan your next vacation. Set this vacation as a goal and work on making it happen by writing it in on your calendar. Future daydreams will allow time to plan the details. Walk – For immediate relief in a stressful situation, get up out of your chair and take a short walk around the office. Stand up and stretch then get your blood moving to release the endorphins that will instantly improve your mood. Eat – What you eat and when you eat can affect how you feel. When overwhelmed, we often forget to eat well or at all. Replace sugary snacks with snack sized fruits and veggies.