‘Tis the Season for Managing Stress Levels

Year-end budget deadlines are looming, your company’s 2016 goals still need to be finalized, and the holiday frenzy is on the horizon. It’s that time of the year when everyone can benefit from reminders about how to manage stress levels at home and in the workplace. Amy Gross with Dale Carnegie Training provided pointers for identifying and managing stress during the Sunrise Scrambler. Gordon Hibbard and Amy Gross from Dale Carnegie Training provided an interactive presentation during this week’s Sunrise Scrambler that included a 15-question stress management assessment for attendees. Several group exercises provided coping suggestions to help gain perspective on the temporary and even positive aspects of stressful situations. One of the ten top stress principles recommends asking yourself, “What is the worst that can happen?” in this situation and refusing to assign the source of your anxiety more value than it’s worth. Resiliency is also a powerful tool for addressing stress and a Mayo Clinic study found that resilient people rely on humor to deal with stressful situations. They also maintain an optimistic outlook and accept change. As we begin the countdown to what can be the most stressful time of the year, be sure to take time to breathe deeply and focus on the fact that many of your daily stress points are only temporary. Don’t let anxiety consume your day and deplete the supply of humor and goodwill you’ll need to enjoy your holiday gatherings and greet the new year. Above all, remember this Dale Carnegie quote, “Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.” Check our Facebook album for photos from this week’s event. Our thanks to our sponsors for this month's event:  Legacy Bank, Holiday Inn, and Davis-Moore. Be sure to register to attend the December 9 Sunrise Scrambler. Damon Young from Mahaney Roofing Company will present his thoughts on “The Joy of Giving Back” through corporate citizenship.