Stress Management and Relaxation

The bigger picture...

There can be no doubting the link between stress management and relaxation.

Taking time off work for recreation is essential if we’re to be healthy, happy managers. The trouble is, those who are most stressed are often the ones who just can’t see the wood for the trees.

When we’re under severe stress it’s too easy to find we’ve developed a work-life imbalance. And it can be difficult to do something about it. Especially if we lose sight of the bigger picture.

Next time you feel you’re tipping into imbalance, remember the bigger picture. Use the power of visualisation and story-telling to re-focus your priorities.

Here’s an excellent story, packed with imagery and meaning. If you haven’t read it, pay attention – it may just change your life. If you have seen it, read it again. There’s nothing wrong with a little refresher! Then pass it on…

Stress Management and Relaxation: the Bigger Picture…..

Stress management and relaxation One morning a professor of philosophy stood in front of his class and wordlessly began to fill a very large and empty mayonnaise jar with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor picked up a box of tiny pebbles and tipped them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly allowing the pebbles to roll into the open areas between the golf balls before asking the students if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

Next the professor poured a box of sand into the jar filling up all the remaining space and once more asked his class if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “yes.” The professor then produced two glasses of wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, the students laughed.

“Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The ‘golf balls’ are the important things; your family, your children, your health, your friends and your passions. In other words, all those things that if everything else was lost, and if only they remained, your life would still be full.

The ‘pebbles’ are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car, holidays, etc. The sand is everything else, all the small stuff.

Now if you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the ‘pebbles’ or the ‘golf balls’.

The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are truly important to you. So pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness, play with your children, take care of your health, make time for your friends, and go out to dinner with your partner because there will always be time to clean the house and fix the car.

Set your priorities and take care of the ‘golf balls’ first, for they are the things that really matter. All the rest is just sand.”

One of the students raised her hand and asked, “What does the wine represent?” The professor smiled, “I’m glad you asked. I was also showing you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of glasses of wine with a friend.”

Stress Management and Relaxation: The Small Stuff…..

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of wine!

Whatever your methods of stress management and relaxation, ensure you build in time for recreation. Hit golf balls. Collect pebbles. Walk along the sand. Socialise with friends. However you like to relax, make sure you do it. Never let a narrow work-focus obscure the bigger picture of a healthy, balanced life. For more help, follow the link to download our free stress management tool.

The spirit of this story is reflected in the late Richard Carlson’s life-changing best seller. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and It’s All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life. This is essential reading for anyone suffering from stress.

“How to enjoy life more and contribute to the world we live in. This inspiring little book will relax you and help you transcend all stress and worry.”

More of Carlson’s inspirational work can be seen at the “Don’t Sweat” website. If you do go there, be sure to follow the link to his memorial site.

Workplace well-being resources

For more resources on this topic, take a look at our great-value guides. These include some excellent tools to help your personal development plan. The best-value approach is to buy our Workplace Well-being bundle, available from the store.

We’ve bundled together these five e-guides at half the normal price! Read the guides in this order, and use the tools in each, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your personal development plan. (6 pdf guides, 138 pages, 24 tools, for half price!)

Have a Good Workday (16 pages, 4 tools)
How to be a Happy Manager (15 tips with action checklists)
Workstyle, Lifestyle (31 pages, 5 tools)
Managers Make the Difference (27 pages, 5 tools)
Managing from Strength to Strength (22 pages, 5 tools)
Making Change Personal (22 pages, 5 tools)