Health

20 HE ALTH • Spring 2020 I magine you. More relaxed at work. More likeable. More effec- tive. More productive. Happier. All possible when you embrace the notion of relaxing while doing your job. If the military teaches relax- ation and athletes and students use it, why not business professionals? Wouldn't it be nice to wave a magic wand and have all of that troublesome workplace anxiety just disappear? Phone apps and employee safe spaces may be the trend, but we forget we have at our fingertips a range of tools to help us stay calm, relaxed and in control. No batteries or Internet connection required. The answer lies within us, if we'll only allow ourselves to go there. Who says you can't or shouldn't relax on the job? It's a skill and a strategy making the day more productive and tolerable as well providing a timely recharge or fresh perspective on a career choice that you may find tempo- rarily less than fully rewarding. You may soon discover, relaxation is a choice, which can help you enjoy your commute, like your boss, and be a stronger middle manager or supervisor. Smart leaders know how to help oth- ers relax into their job, too. It's called leading by example and any executive not able to be calm and relaxed in the office is selling their company short. So, now it's your turn to start relax- ing on the job, so you go home happier each day, maybe even enjoying that ride! New job responsibilities, big proj- ects on your plate, or the all-too-com- mon stressor (the boss) cause you to seek relief. Why not choose to relax and be the coolest cucumber in the salad? The key lies in learning how to inten- tionally and voluntarily activate your relaxation response, as Dr. Herbert Benson reveals in "The Relaxation Response." Relaxation is always a choice and inf luences the quality of our response to stress. Making this choice for yourself will reduce burnout, reduce short-term disability, and lower your blood pressure. Think about someone you admire who is always calm and collected, even under obvious stress. Ask them how they have trained them- selves to relax while working. Here are a few tips for fast progress: Relaxing on the job begins the night before and before leaving for the office. Learning how to naturally manage Relaxation at work? It's essential! By Bob Martel stress and anxiety helps ensure a good night's sleep and prepares the mind and body. Consider getting up 15 minutes earlier to smell the roses or count your blessings. Decide to put yourself in a relaxation mindset. Eat a healthy break- fast – at home! America does not run on coffee from a certain donut shop. Learn to relax during your commute and arrive relaxed. No need for a hyp- notic trance behind the wheel, but you can use the time to both stay alert and relax. Your fellow commuters will wel- come your road courtesy. Breathe. Oxygenate blood and feed your cells. Concentrate on your com- forting, full-belly breath. Anchor this feeling. Add progressive muscle relax- ation to your new skill set. Your intention about relaxing on the job is silently inf luenced by your belief system. I once had a hypnotherapy cli- ent (type-A personality) who said, "Relaxation is such a waste of time. Who even has the time?" On the other side of three sessions, she had discov- ered a new tool to help her enjoy her whole day more fully. Focus more on what you want. Start with uncluttering your work environ- ment. According to a study by the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute, physical clutter negatively affects your ability to focus. Your brain cannot operate at its potential because the clutter competes for your attention. Take back control of what you can… including your email inbox, your proj- ects, your relationships at work, your career opportunities, and your state of mind. Emotional maturity leads to increased happiness, job satisfaction, and career opportunities. Control is your food and drink choices. Take breaks throughout the day, even at your desk, in your (parked) car, and especially before an important meeting or presentation. Sitting is the new smoking. Stand more often. Examine how you manage yourself through time. Keep your job in per- spective. Do the important things. Minimize distractions. Mentally rehearse and visualize a relaxed response and laugh a bit more. Enjoy your colleagues and be grateful. Remember to connect with your authentic self. Be yourself, while chal- lenging yourself to growth goals. Relaxation strengthens the immune system, and helps you be a more creative, more collaborative employee, not to mention the charisma you'll exhibit. Bob Martel is board-certified hypnotist at Positive Results Hypnosis in Holden, where he uses tai chi principles to help clients learn to relax. Reach him at bob@bobmartel.com. While the health care industry in our region is huge, there has never before been a single resource that delivers both industry news and analysis along with a consumer forum where industry experts can share their best advice and insights. Our regional HEALTH publication and E-newsletter is aimed not only at health care professionals, but at health-care consumers, both retail and business. If you're a player in the health care field looking to promote your service, or if your business is trying to reach medical professionals and practices with products or services - we can help you deliver your message to this highly targeted audience. 2020 ISSUE DATES: DON'T MISS OUT! JUNE 15 Closing Date: June 4 Healthcare education/ Medical marijuana AUGUST 24 Closing Date: August 13 Healthcare delivery/ Media & health care OCTOBER 19 Closing Date: October 8 Annual Health Care Resource Guide The Region's Quarterly Health Care Magazine HEALTH C E N T R A L M A S S A C H U S E T T S A shot of healthy marketing! For information contact Mark Murray, Associate Publisher at 508.755.8004 x227 or mmurray@wbjournal.com C E N T R A L M A S S A C H U S E T T S The Region's Quarterly Health Care Magazine Winter 2019 >> HARVARD'S HEALING GARDEN >> FASTEST-GROWING HEALTHCARE JOBS >> THE HEPATITIS A OUTBREAK Vaping crisis Central Mass. smoking cessation professionals are fighting the short- and long-term impact caused by the rise of e-cigarette use You'll want to see and be seen in this quarterly publication! H

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