Bust Stress in 15 Minutes And Stay Calm With This Easy Life Hack

David R Hamilton talks through his ultimate stress-solving steps

 

1.) Think of something that you tend to feel stressed or even a little anxious about. It could be a presentation, as in the example above, or it could be a meeting with someone senior at your workplace, or someone whom you tend to feel nervous around for any reason. Or, if you prefer, you can even apply this to a new skill that you wish to develop, or an existing skill that you wish to enhance.

 

2) Sit down comfortably, close your eyes, and imagine yourself doing the thing. Don’t imagine the result, which is what most people who visualise do, but the process of you obtaining the result. For example, don’t imagine the applause at the end of a presentation (although you can tag that onto the end of your visualisation), but imagine you holding and moving your body in such a way that eventually produces the applause. Imagine yourself confident and fully present.

 

3) Include in your ‘mental story’, what you say and, importantly, ‘how’ you say it. For example, most people tend to speak quickly when they’re nervous or stressed, so imagine speaking at a slower pace and with great clarity, showing emphasis on key points.

 

4) Run the imaginary story in your mind about five-10 times in a row each day, about four or five times a week for at least a week or two before you have to do the thing you’re imagining doing.

 

5) If you find some success, try the same thing with a different situation or skill.

 

Read more in the June issue of Soul & Spirit, on sale now!