Tackling Stress with the "Breathe and Reboot"  Method

Credit: Elenathewise on Photodune.

“Breathe and reboot.”

I say this to myself a lot; heck, today it was my status message on Facebook. It’s one of my mantras…when something has me really irritated, frustrated, stressed, or angry. I know better than to let those emotions overcome me. Okay, sometimes they win out–I’m an Italian from New Jersey–whaddaya want?

Most of the time, I know to breathe and reboot. Why? Because I don’t want to let one pesky letdown ruin my entire day–or my perspective on life.

When I thought about it, this concept is greatly useful for freelancers. We’re juggling a multitude of tasks and dealing with all sorts of people, so it’s likely that something (maybe more somethings) will disrupt your happiness during the day. What to do? Breathe and reboot.

How to Breath and Reboot

• Breathe deeply. Sometimes, you can’t stop what you’re doing, so deep breathing is important. In fact, it’s the basis of “breathe and reboot.” Most of our breaths are shallow, so it’s important to “belly breathe.” Inhale for a few counts and release for a few counts. Notice how your belly fills up on the inhale, and work the breathe down into your core–then exhale and expel the air from the stomach.

  In yoga, you inhale and exhale from the nose. Even if you inhale from the nose and exhale from the mouth, you’ll create a relaxation response. This can be enough for you to clear your head, physically calm yourself, and return to work. If you’re a “cubiclite” (someone stuck in a cubicle at work), this may be the only form of “breathe and reboot” you can get because you’re under watch.

• Get up and move around. Take a break. Sometimes my break is doing something like the laundry. Sometimes, it’s a visit out for a cup of tea. Or a walk. Or a trip to the gym. Or a nap. I follow the same breathing as in the first point, but the distraction helps to remind me that there are other things to focus on. This works great if you’ve been at the desk or computer for a long time.
• Vent. “Breathe and reboot” isn’t all about the zen. Sometimes, you have to release tension. And if you have a lot of energy (even negative energy), you may want to take it out on a punching bag, StairMaster, road, or treadmill (you get the picture). This is similar to the second point above, but it goes beyond.

  Sometimes, you need to talk it out. Before you pick up the phone and go haywire on a “freelance friend,” breathe. Again, breathe. I say this because while venting is good, sometimes it can stress you out even more. Gather your thoughts and vent away. Be careful about where you vent though–I don’t recommend Twitter, especially if it implicates the name of the person or organization you are mad about. Just think before you vent online.

  You may not be the venting type–that’s okay. There are other ways to unwind. But if you are a “venter,” get the negativity out of your system in a harmless way…even if you need to use a few four-letter words. Once you find the right avenue for venting, go for it.

• Unplug. Can you switch gears and still work to stay productive? Maybe you’re tired of being on the computer or the phone, but you still want to get things done. This is why I proofread things on paper. It lets me take my content anywhere I want and still be productive.

  Maybe you can work on other work-related things so you are still efficient. Filing may not be fun most of the time, but when you have the need to “breathe and reboot,” it–or dare I say, invoicing–can be very therapeutic.

• Write it out. Speaking of paper, maybe writing is up your alley. This is part of the reboot. It can be anything you enjoy…just anything different than what you were doing when you got upset. Many people find writing very therapeutic.

  Take a break and write about what’s bothering you in your diary or on your blog–just be cautious about who can see what you write. This is why I think paper journals will never run out of style–the thoughts are all yours and not out there on the Internet for all to see.

Be Mindful of Your De-Stressing Needs

However you breathe, it’s important to reboot as well. Sometimes breathing is enough to reboot you. You don’t have to be a yoga freak to enjoy the benefits of breathing. It can be helpful because it relaxes your body and offers a way to de-stress naturally. And remember, you don’t have to stop working to “breathe and reboot” either. You just want to switch gears so you feel a shift in energy. Hopefully after that transition, you are feeling good again about what you’re doing and where you’re going.

Life’s stressful and sometimes you get upset–that’s normal, especially when you’re running your own business, because it’s hard work! But with a little mindfulness, you can push through the “ickies” and get to the good stuff–whatever your good stuff is. Mine is usually that feeling after I “breathe and reboot” when I feel more relaxed and ready to take on anything.

Photo credit: Some rights reserved by Elenathewise.