More than 60 percent of people report feeling somewhat or very stressed during the holidays according to a survey conducted by Heathline, with concerns over money topping the list. I have internationally recognized speaker and author Anne Grady to share questions from her Emotional Intelligence Assessment that can help people determine how well they deal with stress and make adjustments to better cope. Contact me for interview requests and read on for details.
Stressed Out? Flex Your Resilience Muscles!
Worries about money top the list of stressors, along with other causes including family drama, cooking, being away from family, and working in retail — especially during the holidays. Stress is a constant in our lives and how we deal with it has a lot to do with our health and ability to be successful, Anne says in her upcoming book “Strong Enough: Choosing Courage, Resilience and Triumph.
“When you are under stress, the emotional center of your brain (specifically the amygdala) lights up, shooting cortisol and adrenaline through your brain. This was originally intended to help us freeze, run away, or fight an impending attacker,” Anne says. “The same process happens when we face an emotional setback or threat. Understanding your reactions to stress in difficult situations is critical.” Become aware of how you react to stress by answering these questions:
- How does stress affect you physically (e.g., tightness in chest, sweating, knots in your stomach, headaches, etc.)?
- How does stress affect you psychologically or emotionally (e.g., feeling out of control)?
- How have you learned to de-stress (laughing, meditating, doing yoga, reading, etc.)?
Since our level of Emotional Intelligence has a lot to do with how well we handle stress, Anne can share her Emotional Intelligence Self-Assessment to identify areas of strength and opportunity. For example, how do you rate yourself on the following?
- When someone disagrees with me, I listen to their point of view (Hint: If the answer is no or rarely, always start a disagreement with “What do you think?” and don’t share your point of view until you understand theirs, Anne says.)
- When I am upset, I find ways to communicate my needs.
- I assess my options, choosing the best alternative under pressure.
- I control any impulses to act too hastily when I’m under pressure.
- I cope with stress in a positive way, examining possibilities.
Your answers to these questions come down to training yourself to be calm and manage your emotions.
About Anne Grady: As Founder and President of the Anne Grady Group, Anne works with a diverse array of companies, non-profits, government agencies, and speaks to audiences around the world to build teamwork, increase productivity, and reduce stress. She incorporates the very mantras she champions professionally into her personal life to work through the challenges she faces each day as mom of two, one with special needs. With her signature style of wit and candor, Anne helps people muster their courage, find their resilience, and claim their triumph.
Anne holds a master’s degree in Organizational Communication. She lives in Round Rock, Texas, with her husband, two children, and their “therapy” dogs Bernie and Charlie.
For more information, www.GetStrongEnough.com.
