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If you’re not thinking clearly, then be strategic: do something

13 April 2015 by Anne Riches Leave a Comment

Stress happens to all of us – but will you allow it to dominate and control you? Will you let it steal your life?

stress

We’ve all experienced it – we’re stressed, upset, tired, not able to think straight, can’t make decisions. We may even resort to guessing and increase our chances of even more distress!

When you are stressed, your amygdala is on high alert. The brain is flooded with stress hormones that prevent your thinking brain (pre-frontal cortex) from performing clearly.

I call it The Almond Effect (Amygdala is greek for almond.)

It’s the classic situation when you have to Stop to be able to Think (the first part of my STAR model).

Here’s more evidence (OK it’s with rats but they are the common research vehicle) that confirms what we know: stress means you can’t do your job properly – or anything else for that matter. Read it here.

Breaking the out of it is not that hard although sometimes it seems harder than climbing Everest. You just need to do something physically. Get up from your desk, go for a walk. Get a massage, go for a swim or run. But do something to get the blood and oxygen flowing through your brain and body to ‘wash away’ the stress hormones.

Even if you don’t have time, make it.  I simply don’t know how I would be handling my life at the moment if I didn’t go to the gym every day to run. It may take an hour but I more than make up for it getting stuff done and stopping negative thoughts that stress produces.

 

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Filed Under: Amygdala and The Almond Effect, Articles Tagged With: amygdala, control, leadership, stress, The Almond Effect

About Anne Riches

Anne is a Change Leadership presenter, educator, facilitator and mentor, developing managers to be more effective Change Leaders. Read more …

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