resilient companies – Athena Training and Consulting

As you move into a new business or personal venture, it’s likely you feel a need to be agile and flexible. While the ability to shift focus and priorities as needed is important, it is also important to stick to those routines and rituals that are important in your rituals life. Many people fail to recognize how rituals can keep us focused and balanced. Here are three benefits you can gain from sticking to important rituals in your life.

1. Rituals can reduce stress. Many of your routines have a calming effect. The few minutes you spend reading the newspaper in the morning may be just what you need to clear your mind for the day. The five minute check-in with your spouse at lunch time everyday may serve to keep the two of you connected, helping you to focus on other tasks the rest of the day.

2. Develop healthy rituals. Many of our rituals are inherently healthy. From a morning shower to stretches before bed, routines that are designed to keep you strong are critical to health and happiness.

3. Routines help minimize the strain of change. When much of your life is in flux, it is very comforting to have a few things you can count on. Just like your best friend or your favorite pillow, your favorite rituals serve to give your life continuity in a sea of uncertainty.

You may not give a lot of thought to your rituals, but it might be time to consider how these make your life more comfortable and stable. Have you let some of your favorite rituals take a back seat during busy times at work? If so, have you felt greater stress levels or lower levels of satisfaction in your life?

Take the time to put some of your most important rituals back in your life. If time is limited, evaluate which rituals and routines provide the most satisfaction, and start by incorporating those. You might be amazed at the improvement you see in your satisfaction both at home and at work.

Any time you’re pursuing an important goal, there is a tendency to overwork. There can be too many tasks to accomplish and your life can feel overwhelmed. In many cases, this activity can lead to a lack of sleep. sleep3

Sometimes, the lack of sleep is the result of trying to fit too much activity into the day, resulting in working late into the night. Other times, you may try to sleep, but stress and a long list of incomplete tasks may make you restless, causing insomnia.

Regardless of which problem you’re having, it is important to get back into your regular sleep routine. There are several benefits that come from regular, restful sleep.

1. Ability to focus. When you are sleep deprived, you lack focus. Simple mental challenges are suddenly more difficult. You are more likely to make mistakes when you do not get regular sleep. In the long run, you may put in more working hours, yet be less productive.
2. Health. Busy people don’t have time to get sick. However, people who don’t get regular sleep are much more likely to get sick. This is another way lack of sleep negatively affects productivity.
3. Outlook. When you are tired and unproductive, you are more likely to have a negative outlook on things. It could even lead you to give up on a goal that you would likely have reached too soon.

Handling Insomnia

But, what if you’re trying to sleep, but just can’t seem to get any rest? This is an all too common problem when there are many things going on in your life, and when you are under stress. Here are some ways to help increase your chances of sleep.

1. Don’t work right up until bedtime. Take some time to unwind from work before bed. Do something enjoyable, such as reading, watching television or enjoying your favorite hobby. This will help slow your mind, making it easier to sleep.
2. Avoid alcohol. If you find that you fall asleep easily, but wake during the night unable to go back to sleep, alcohol could be part of your problem. Stay away from the alcohol and see if you don’t start sleeping better.
3. Don’t sleep with the television on. While television can be a great way to wind down before bed, it’s not a good idea to leave it on while you sleep. The background noise of the television can prevent your brain from shutting down appropriately so that you can rest peacefully. If you like to fall asleep to the television, use a remote with a timer so that the television will shut off.
Regular sleep is an important part of your health and your productivity. When something gets in the way, it can cause many problems you might never suspect. Work to get your sleep patterns back on track so that you can get back to your normal, productive life.

Posts tagged “resilient companies”