Stress.................

[ChrisGoodfellow]

So I just got an email from IOD about high levels of stress among directors according to a recent survey of members.
It is linked to various member promotions they are doing with BUPA for health checks and the like. Which is all fine and dandy but it got me thinking about what everyone does to combat stress when running a business.

For me, it's running. I need to get my 30km a week in and if I do that generally keeps me sane. I do a bit of meditation which also helps. I am lucky in many ways as my natural temperament is fairly calm (low trait neuroticism on the OCEAN personality test). But some colleagues I know are more predisposed to stress and that has led to health problems. Even with my running regime and naturally low-stress personality I still have borderline high blood pressure. Whilst I love running my businesses it is still stressful leading.

So what do you do?

 

[IanSuth]

Rugby

Until this April i was still training at least one night a week and playing about every other Saturday - only stopped as i just hit 53 and the body can't take it anymore

Not sure what i will do now as I find it very hard to push myself anywhere near as hard doing something like a run (or even get started with one of them) compared with a 90 min training session with people as young as 19 or in a game

 

[Ivanzyt]

Rugby

Until this April i was still training at least one night a week and playing about every other Saturday - only stopped as i just hit 53 and the body can't take it anymore

Not sure what i will do now as I find it very hard to push myself anywhere near as hard doing something like a run (or even get started with one of them) compared with a 90 min training session with people as young as 19 or in a game

I had a similar thing with kick boxing ........... had to give it up in early forties cos it hurt my old body too much. Just kept getting injured in sparring, normally by kids half my age! I learned to love running but hitting things hard was always my first love!

 

[fisicx]

Stress? Not something I’ve ever had to worry about. It’s a mindset thing.

 

[Ozzy]

Music for me, which I do sometimes link in with some meditation. Nothing quite beats some heavy nordic chant (viking) while eyes closed and letting the battle cries run through you.

Either that or a bit of Call of Duty

 

[japancool]

I used to relax by watching some anime or reading some manga (ok, so sue me) and indulge in some escapism. Thing is, that is now 50% work!

 

[Annoying Donkey]

I don't really feel any stress as life is so much less stressful than it was 10 years ago...

But I do let steam off by hurtling around a track at absurd speeds on occasion...

 

[hikiwari]

If martial arts is your thing and you are getting too old for physical combat then I highly recommend kendo - Japanese fencing.
It's dynamic and powerful and exhilarating, and you can competitively fight young or old or male or female, it's a completely level playing field with only experience ranking often being the deciding factor in shiai (fights). I started in my mid 50s and reached sho-dan. I cannot recommend it enough.

 

[Mark T Jones]

As a general point, I'd say that 'stress' is a conveniently broad/vague term that I'd question the angle and outcome of any survey.

Personally

Daily dog walk and some cycling to clear the mind and reset.

More important, about 8 years ago I had a full step back and analyse, which resulted in a business model entirely suited to me, and my own desired outcomes mercifully free of anyone else's view of what I should be doing

 

[IanSuth]

I don't really feel any stress as life is so much less stressful than it was 10 years ago...

But I do let steam off by hurtling around a track at absurd speeds on occasion...

My worry is I change the risk of rugby for risk whilst on my bikes (subconsciously)

 

[japancool]

I asked my boss for time off due to stress, but I had to turn my request down.

 

[fisicx]

More important, about 8 years ago I had a full step back and analyse, which resulted in a business model entirely suited to me, and my own desired outcomes mercifully free of anyone else's view of what I should be doing

Same here. I removed everything from my life that was causing stress. This included cutting off contact with my brother - his whole purpose in life appeared to be making people miserable.

 

[Socio South West]

Same here. I removed everything from my life that was causing stress. This included cutting off contact with my brother - his whole purpose in life appeared to be making people miserable.

Very strong parallels with @Mark T Jones and @fisicx - I chuck boots, bike (paddle)board and/or boat into the mix to get rid of any pressure that does arise these days.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Rugby

Until this April i was still training at least one night a week and playing about every other Saturday - only stopped as i just hit 53 and the body can't take it anymore

Not sure what i will do now as I find it very hard to push myself anywhere near as hard doing something like a run (or even get started with one of them) compared with a 90 min training session with people as young as 19 or in a game

I love you Ian playing rugby at 53 Absolutely spot on

I'm 54 and run most days do weight lifting and other training Some young boxers roped me into their virtual training club on strava and my ass is hanging out most day

It all helps with the mind though and like a couple of the others I avoid too much agro I think the more experienced you are the easier you deal with challenges

What used to bother me I just dont care about any more

 

[fisicx]

I teach Tai Chi. Impossible to be stressed after a set.

I had an instructor many years ago who said to dump anything that was bothering you in the bucket by the door. After Tai Chi you can pick them up again. Or just leave them there. I left them there.

 

[cjd]

Delegate.

 

[linlin.uk]

So I just got an email from IOD about high levels of stress among directors according to a recent survey of members.
It is linked to various member promotions they are doing with BUPA for health checks and the like. Which is all fine and dandy but it got me thinking about what everyone does to combat stress when running a business.

For me, it's running. I need to get my 30km a week in and if I do that generally keeps me sane. I do a bit of meditation which also helps. I am lucky in many ways as my natural temperament is fairly calm (low trait neuroticism on the OCEAN personality test). But some colleagues I know are more predisposed to stress and that has led to health problems. Even with my running regime and naturally low-stress personality I still have borderline high blood pressure. Whilst I love running my businesses it is still stressful leading.

So what do you do?

what I learnt is to treat the stress as a 'matter' or 'case' to deal with, analyse the cause - if this cause your fault or others - if can be resolved - if yes how - why do I feel stressed - what do I need to do to erase this bloody feeling , self reflection with some chill music open a bottle of wine you like always helps. Dancing and boxing is a good way to release stress too but I haven't found a suitable class to join :/

 

[NickGrogan]

I don't think I've ever experienced stress.

I don't do things I don't want to and haven't done since my school days.

I sleep 8 hours per day, every single day.

 

[RobPickering]

I asked my boss for time off due to stress, but I had to turn my request down.

You need to sit your boss down and have a serious talk to yourself. (Just make sure no one’s looking).

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

I didn't think I was stressed but....
3 years ago I went to the Doctor's for a minor ailment and casually told him that I was occasionally finding it difficult to breathe at night when trying to get to sleep. You know when you yawn, there's a peak and release of breath. I couldn't get past the peak. 'You have anxiety he said, the breathing is the physical manifestation of a mental problem'. I'd been helping a close relative through a legally challenging divorce for around 3 years and hadn't noticed the layer upon layer that each twist and turn added to my apparent anxiety, until it was all sorted.

Anyway, I've always recommended Dale Carnegie's 'How to Stop Worrying and Start Living' book......and relieve any potential stress by hitting a punchbag or listening to music.

PS: If anybody has a cure for stress created by 'women's logic' I'd be pleased to hear it
Q:'What time are you going to bed? A: 'I have to be up at 6 in the morning'
Q:'Do you like Chinese food'? A: 'John does'
Q: Did you know Sue's back home from hospital?' A: 'Oh, is she not having her operation today then?'
Q: 'What times that programme on that you want to watch?' A: After the news!

...or the daddy of them all..wife hollers........'SPEED CAMERA!', A: 'Yes I know, it's been there 20 xxxxxx years, I've driven past it 10000 xxxxxx times and your the only one who's had a xxxxxx ticket!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArrrrgh!

 

[Fagin2021]

PS: If anybody has a cure for stress created by 'women's logic' I'd be pleased to hear it
Q:'What time are you going to bed? A: 'I have to be up at 6 in the morning'
Q:'Do you like Chinese food'? A: 'John does'
Q: Did you know Sue's back home from hospital?' A: 'Oh, is she not having her operation today then?'
Q: 'What times that programme on that you want to watch?' A: After the news!

...or the daddy of them all..wife hollers........'SPEED CAMERA!', A: 'Yes I know, it's been there 20 xxxxxx years, I've driven past it 10000 xxxxxx times and your the only one who's had a xxxxxx ticket!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArrrrgh!

Nah - a pinprick; a flea bite; a bagatelle ! Try...

Wife to wife's mum...
"Bye ma, talk to you soon."
"Bye darling, talk soon."
"Byeeee, love you lots."
"You too. Byeeee."
"Bye for now."
"Bye bye".
"Bye. How did Jenny get on at the Doctors ?"

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArrrrrgh!

 

[numbersrule]

The biggest things in my life have all been accidental. Things that at the time seemed incidental to the main direction or theme of the time. But in hindsight all the accidental things have turned out to represent points on a winding path from a valley of chaos and confusion rising to stress free uplands.

Up until last Autumn I was running regularly. The winter months were discouraging and now that I am 61 this month I feel like I may need an alternative exercise routine as it is now only one run since last Autumn. I may discover a new regime accidentally. My instinct says don't force it. I've been surprised that I haven't felt like I really need to run, not like a decade or so ago when running was undoubtedly essential for sanity. Perhaps there is a natural process that replaces the need for vigorous exercise as you age whilst still enabling a healthy mind. I'm ever the optimist.

The most significant reduction in stress levels for me came when I accidentally started my own business at the age of 52.
It soon became apparent that I had the power to create a stress free environment.

I've tended to not need logic, or reasoning or 'strong ' decisions. When people talk of 'strong people, they often mean people who are very clear and definitive in their thinking, but that, to me, seems like a recipe for stress due to a lack of flexibility.

Don't force things, I say.

Allow the accidental to occur and you will be at one with whatever suits you best.

After all, we are not really in control of anything that happens to us anyway. Those that calll themselves decision makers are deceived by an illusion of their own making.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Up until last Autumn I was running regularly. The winter months were discouraging and now that I am 61 this month I feel like I may need an alternative exercise routine as it is now only one run since last Autumn. I may discover a new regime accidentally. My instinct says don't force it. I've been surprised that I haven't felt like I really need to run, not like a decade or so ago when running was undoubtedly essential for sanity. Perhaps there is a natural process that replaces the need for vigorous exercise as you age whilst still enabling a healthy mind. I'm ever the optimist.

The reality is that very few runners go into their 60s most that are running in later life have only just discovered it an dont have mega milage in their bodies

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Without being too obvious, stress is in the mind and some people are affected by it more than others.

Some people show it more than others.

Some people thrive on it/convert it to energy and stimulation (that is probably me).

I used to be criticised by people, especially in corporate life, that I didn't care about things or was not really interested in deadlines when most other people were running around like headless chickens. What it was/is is that I realise that reacting like this (headless chicken) can add issues, not solve them and, in turn, adds stress. I don't think I ever failed or missed a deadline (or did so in a way where the results were affected).

Maybe I was, what you may describe, as 'laid back'. Maybe I was a stressed wreck inside, but I didn't show it.

I am not spiritual or philosophical, but I do believe, in the end, that things will either work or not, so why get an ulcer in the process?

BTW, my 2 girls, 11 & 6, thankfully create more joy than stress to chill these old bones out!

 

[Annoying Donkey]

BTW, my 2 girls, 11 & 6, thankfully create more joy than stress to chill these old bones out!

Give it a couple of more years...

 

[Newchodge]

I didn't think I was stressed but....
3 years ago I went to the Doctor's for a minor ailment and casually told him that I was occasionally finding it difficult to breathe at night when trying to get to sleep. You know when you yawn, there's a peak and release of breath. I couldn't get past the peak. 'You have anxiety he said, the breathing is the physical manifestation of a mental problem'. I'd been helping a close relative through a legally challenging divorce for around 3 years and hadn't noticed the layer upon layer that each twist and turn added to my apparent anxiety, until it was all sorted.

Anyway, I've always recommended Dale Carnegie's 'How to Stop Worrying and Start Living' book......and relieve any potential stress by hitting a punchbag or listening to music.

PS: If anybody has a cure for stress created by 'women's logic' I'd be pleased to hear it
Q:'What time are you going to bed? A: 'I have to be up at 6 in the morning'
Q:'Do you like Chinese food'? A: 'John does'
Q: Did you know Sue's back home from hospital?' A: 'Oh, is she not having her operation today then?'
Q: 'What times that programme on that you want to watch?' A: After the news!

...or the daddy of them all..wife hollers........'SPEED CAMERA!', A: 'Yes I know, it's been there 20 xxxxxx years, I've driven past it 10000 xxxxxx times and your the only one who's had a xxxxxx ticket!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArrrrgh!

What about the stress caused by men?
Q: What do you want for dinner tonight? A: I don't know
Q: The bus leaves in 5 minutes, are you ready to go? A: Just give me a few minutes.
Q: Have you spoken to the garage about the noise on the car brakes? A: .....................
Q: That noise on the car brakes is getting worse. A: I'll speak to the garage, it son't be anything to worry about.
Q. How do you know it's nothing to worry about? A: Nothing has happened.

 

[MikeJ]

Up until last Autumn I was running regularly. The winter months were discouraging and now that I am 61 this month I feel like I may need an alternative exercise routine as it is now only one run since last Autumn. I may discover a new regime accidentally. My instinct says don't force it. I've been surprised that I haven't felt like I really need to run, not like a decade or so ago when running was undoubtedly essential for sanity. Perhaps there is a natural process that replaces the need for vigorous exercise as you age whilst still enabling a healthy mind. I'm ever the optimist.

Since giving up work, I've run a lot less. At one point I was doing a couple of 10ks during the week, then going for a proper run at the weekend. Now I don't feel the need, though I still like to think of myself as a runner.

I'd really recommend doing Parkruns though, if you've not done them already. They tend to be quite sociable, and having that date in your diary each week makes a big difference to motivate you to get a run under your belt again.

 

[MikeJ]

What about the stress caused by men?
Q: What do you want for dinner tonight? A: I don't know
Q: The bus leaves in 5 minutes, are you ready to go? A: Just give me a few minutes.
Q: Have you spoken to the garage about the noise on the car brakes? A: .....................
Q: That noise on the car brakes is getting worse. A: I'll speak to the garage, it son't be anything to worry about.
Q. How do you know it's nothing to worry about? A: Nothing has happened.

You seem to be stressing over the car brakes, while he's clearly got the situation under control

 

[Shopclicks]

What about the stress caused by men?
Q: What do you want for dinner tonight? A: I don't know
Q: The bus leaves in 5 minutes, are you ready to go? A: Just give me a few minutes.
Q: Have you spoken to the garage about the noise on the car brakes? A: .....................
Q: That noise on the car brakes is getting worse. A: I'll speak to the garage, it son't be anything to worry about.
Q. How do you know it's nothing to worry about? A: Nothing has happened.

Who delegated funny noises coming from car parts to the man??? You drive the car, you get it looked at ... or maybe that's an Aussie women only thing. I had a very proud Dad moment when my daughter told me she changed the car battery by herself not so long ago

And what makes you think he doesn't just love everything you cook ...choices are hard!

 

[Newchodge]

Who delegated funny noises coming from car parts to the man??? You drive the car, you get it looked at ... or maybe that's an Aussie women only thing. I had a very proud Dad moment when my daughter told me she changed the car battery by herself not so long ago

And what makes you think he doesn't just love everything you cook ...choices are hard!

I am quite happy to deal with the car. When I was 17 my first driving lesson from my father consisted of him opening the bonnet and explaining what did what. I could do most things but he would never let me deal with the brakes - he insisted my elder brother did that, although I was allowed to sit in the driving seat and press the brake under instruction .

But, when I first mentioned the issue he said he would deal with it. That was nearly 4 years ago and the car has had 3 successful MOTs since then. So he may have a point. But he SAID he would deal with it.

 

[Gecko001]

I didn't think I was stressed but....
3 years ago I went to the Doctor's for a minor ailment and casually told him that I was occasionally finding it difficult to breathe at night when trying to get to sleep. You know when you yawn, there's a peak and release of breath. I couldn't get past the peak. 'You have anxiety he said, the breathing is the physical manifestation of a mental problem'. I'd been helping a close relative through a legally challenging divorce for around 3 years and hadn't noticed the layer upon layer that each twist and turn added to my apparent anxiety, until it was all sorted.

Anyway, I've always recommended Dale Carnegie's 'How to Stop Worrying and Start Living' book......and relieve any potential stress by hitting a punchbag or listening to music.

PS: If anybody has a cure for stress created by 'women's logic' I'd be pleased to hear it
Q:'What time are you going to bed? A: 'I have to be up at 6 in the morning'
Q:'Do you like Chinese food'? A: 'John does'
Q: Did you know Sue's back home from hospital?' A: 'Oh, is she not having her operation today then?'
Q: 'What times that programme on that you want to watch?' A: After the news!

...or the daddy of them all..wife hollers........'SPEED CAMERA!', A: 'Yes I know, it's been there 20 xxxxxx years, I've driven past it 10000 xxxxxx times and your the only one who's had a xxxxxx ticket!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArrrrgh!

You are lucky to have a GP like that. Many would just give you a prescription.

 

[Ozzy]

I had a very proud Dad moment when my daughter told me she changed the car battery by herself not so long ago

My daughter fitted her LED strip lights, go faster grills, stickers and furry dice to her jazzed up Focus all by herself - very proud dad moment for me too

 

[Mark T Jones]

What about the stress caused by men?
Q: What do you want for dinner tonight? A: I don't know
Q: The bus leaves in 5 minutes, are you ready to go? A: Just give me a few minutes.
Q: Have you spoken to the garage about the noise on the car brakes? A: .....................
Q: That noise on the car brakes is getting worse. A: I'll speak to the garage, it son't be anything to worry about.
Q. How do you know it's nothing to worry about? A: Nothing has happened.

Not to take things off track, but I suspect there may be more to the car brakes story

 

[cjd]

I'm currently buying a new car - it's hard to get one with a spare tyre these days. The sales guy said that what I should do if I had a puncture was to call the AA (2 year's membership included). They pick me up, drive me to their garage, they fit a new tyre and charge me £25.

I told him that I don't have time to wait half a day for all that to happen. My daughter can change a wheel in 10 minutes. (And I thought - 'this male generation are 'kin useless.')

 

[MikeJ]

The last three cars I've bought haven't had a spare wheel (we're getting nicely off topic here, but I do stress about getting a puncture). We got it as an extra for the first one, and haven't bothered for the next two. The argument is you rarely get punctures, and the additional cost of fuel for carrying around the spare wheel means it's cheaper not to have one. Have a repair can thing in the car, or get a call out.

 

[Newchodge]

The last three cars I've bought haven't had a spare wheel (we're getting nicely off topic here, but I do stress about getting a puncture). We got it as an extra for the first one, and haven't bothered for the next two. The argument is you rarely get punctures, and the additional cost of fuel for carrying around the spare wheel means it's cheaper not to have one. Have a repair can thing in the car, or get a call out.

A friend of mine had one of those repair can things. When he used it wrongly it nearly blinded him. That was stressful.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

You are lucky to have a GP like that. Many would just give you a prescription.

I guess so.......
He also asked what I did for a living, I told him I worked for myself, pretty much doing everything but that I was looking to find some hired help. 'Don't do it' was his response, suggesting that the stress of worrying whether your employee was on time, off sick, any good, would far outweigh the benefits. 'Look at how you're working first and make the necessary changes'. Free business advice thrown in!

 

[Gecko001]

I guess so.......
He also asked what I did for a living, I told him I worked for myself, pretty much doing everything but that I was looking to find some hired help. 'Don't do it' was his response, suggesting that the stress of worrying whether your employee was on time, off sick, any good, would far outweigh the benefits. 'Look at how you're working first and make the necessary changes'. Free business advice thrown in!

Wow that GP is a keeper. He probably has had problems with staff, but generally his advice is good. It is a big step up to employ someone these days.

 

[Onthebrightside]

I didn't think I was stressed but....
3 years ago I went to the Doctor's for a minor ailment and casually told him that I was occasionally finding it difficult to breathe at night when trying to get to sleep. You know when you yawn, there's a peak and release of breath. I couldn't get past the peak. 'You have anxiety he said, the breathing is the physical manifestation of a mental problem'. I'd been helping a close relative through a legally challenging divorce for around 3 years and hadn't noticed the layer upon layer that each twist and turn added to my apparent anxiety, until it was all sorted.

Anyway, I've always recommended Dale Carnegie's 'How to Stop Worrying and Start Living' book......and relieve any potential stress by hitting a punchbag or listening to music.

PS: If anybody has a cure for stress created by 'women's logic' I'd be pleased to hear it
Q:'What time are you going to bed? A: 'I have to be up at 6 in the morning'
Q:'Do you like Chinese food'? A: 'John does'
Q: Did you know Sue's back home from hospital?' A: 'Oh, is she not having her operation today then?'
Q: 'What times that programme on that you want to watch?' A: After the news!

...or the daddy of them all..wife hollers........'SPEED CAMERA!', A: 'Yes I know, it's been there 20 xxxxxx years, I've driven past it 10000 xxxxxx times and your the only one who's had a xxxxxx ticket!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArrrrgh!

My personal favourite from my mothers long list of such answers:

Q: How long has it been raining Mum. A: Oh, it hasn't stopped since it started.

 

[Onthebrightside]

Answer for stress: Pack of Wine Gums - never fails, instant happiness - who cares about anything else.