Techniques for Stress Relief: Professionals & CEOs

David Kiger from Business 2 Community and Tiffany Cruikshank share some tips for high-level professionals to relax and de-stress.

Try These Techniques for CEO Stress Relief

Stress is an inevitable part of most professional careers. This certainly holds true for those who attain CEO status. Standing at the top of a business’ organization chart can translate to being a magnet for problems and issues.

Relieving that stress is key, but the methods involved can vary in their effectiveness. Here’s a look at several ways to approach it, both in tackling problems in the business and in using calming techniques outside of it.

Physical techniques

On high-stress days, a flurry of activity may be necessary, from aggressive conversations and negotiations to difficult meetings. Taking moments for healthy activities — when time allows, of course — could potentially provide some relief. In a story called “A CEO’s Guide From Distress to De-stress” for The Ultimate Travel Company, a deep-breathing exercise is recommended by “stress expert” Tiffany Cruikshank:

1. Sit up in your chair and close your eyes to begin.
2. As you close your eyes, start to notice the natural pace of your breath. Sometimes you might notice the breath is choppy or short, sometimes it might feel more relaxed and longer paced. The quality is not important, but just start to become an observer to the process of the breath, the natural movement of the breath.”
3. Then start to count your inhale and exhale. Try to make the exhale a little longer than the inhale. For example, if you inhale for a count of four, try to exhale for a count of five or six.”
4. Continue this for one or two minutes.”

The result, according to the story: “The exhalation helps to tap into the parasympathetic mode where you can be most effective in your work and reduce the effects of stress on your body.”

Click here to visit the article on Business 2 Community.