Managing Personal Stressors

Today, I will be addressing a harsh truth I don’t see many people talk about until “mental health awareness day”. We prioritize physical fitness, pushing ourselves to stay strong and healthy. But what about our mental well-being? We see tons of tips on meditation and journaling (both great practices), but what about a hidden gem that might be even more powerful? The Power of Social Connection. Our brains actually crave connection. Studies by psychologist Matthew Lieberman show that simply talking to someone we trust can lower stress hormones and boost our mood. Think about it: when you're feeling overwhelmed, chatting with a friend or family member can offer a fresh perspective and remind you that you're not alone. - Instead of solo walks, try incorporating social interaction. - Walking with friends, family, or even joining a walking group can double the benefits. - You get the physical exercise you love, plus the emotional support that comes with connecting with others. While venting can be helpful in the short term, true mental well-being goes beyond just letting off steam. When you walk and talk with loved ones, you can use this time to brainstorm solutions to problems together. Having different perspectives can lead to creative ideas, and feeling supported in tackling challenges can make a huge difference in reducing stress and anxiety. Taking care of your mental well-being isn't about waiting for a specific day or following the latest trends. It's about incorporating healthy habits into your everyday routine. Social connection is a powerful, and often overlooked, tool for mental fitness. So, lace up your shoes, grab a friend or family member, and walk your way to a stronger, more resilient you! What are your favorite ways to connect with others and boost your mental well-being? #mentalhealth #fitness #mindset #growth

They say, the first job makes everyone cry at least once. 😢 One of my cousins warned me. Yes, it happened just as she said. I wanna ask you something, “Whose face appears when you have to recall that one person who made it very easy for you at your first job?” 🤔 I remember my friend, who was my senior, just like an elder sister 👩❤️👩, she would support me with unconditional love. It's been 10 years, and I'd never forget that bond we shared. In the corporate culture, we often talk about building skills, networking, and what not. But there’s one important thing that often gets ignored - Professional friendships. 🤝 Here’s how building strong professional friendships can be a game-changer for your career and the key concepts you should consider while building these relationships: ✨ Belonging Capital - Belonging capital is the emotional connection and a sense of belonging that comes from knowing you have a trusted circle at work. Imagine working on a challenging project. Knowing that you have friends who support you 🛡️, can make you feel more secure and motivated, even when tasks become overwhelming. ✨ Trust Compounding - Trust is the foundation of any strong relationship, and in professional friendships, it builds over time, creating what can be called Trust compounding. Having a professional friend you trust 🤝, allows you to discuss new ideas openly, get feedback on challenging situations, or even brainstorm strategies for career advancement. ✨ Stress Buffering - You cannot discuss your work stress with your family or friends since they don’t know the context completely. Here’s when professional friendships act as a stress buffer, providing a support system that reduces the impact of workplace stress. ☕ Regular coffee chats or brief check-ins with friends at work can help you feel recharged and focused, providing relief from daily stressors. ✨ Collective Wisdom - You might have the best of friends, but they may be in a different career or field and might not provide the best guidance for your particular field. Here’s where professional friends who understand your career path and goals 💼 can provide valuable insights into industry trends, connect you with influential contacts, and suggest strategies that can elevate your work performance. 📈 There was a study by Gallup in 2015 that revealed that employees who have a "Best friend at work" are seven times more likely to be engaged in their job. 💡 By investing time in cultivating meaningful professional friendships, you’re not only enriching your career journey but also building a network that can elevate you, support you, and inspire you for years to come. 🚀 Please share with me the name of that one person who made it easy for you to settle in your first job. ❤️ #CorporateCulture 🌐 #CareerGrowth 🚀 #WorkplaceWellbeing 🌱 #NetworkingMatters 🌟 #TrustAndBelonging 💼 #WorkplaceConnections 🤍 #FirstJobMemories ✨ #TeamworkWins 🤝 #ProfessionalDevelopment 📈 #WorkplaceInspiration 🌟

I cried after my laughter yoga class. That was not the plan. But my instructor, Francine Shore told me that’s just how it goes- laughter opens you up to all sorts of emotions. In part two of 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙨, I wanted to explore the odd, enjoyable, and universal experience of laughter. So, I sat down and laughed, for no good reason, for an hour with Francine and her community of laughter yogis. Then she and I talked about the findings you need to know around laughter’s impact on the mind and body. Research is indicating that the physical act of laughing, even without humor, is linked to chemical changes in the body that potentially reduce stress and increase pain tolerance. So yes, you can force a laugh at that unfunny joke in your meeting today, and benefit from it. 𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚: 𝙝𝙩𝙩𝙥𝙨://𝙥𝙤𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙨.𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙚.𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙪𝙨/𝙥𝙤𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙩/𝙞𝙣-𝙩𝙝𝙚-𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙖-𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝-𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙝-𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙩/𝙞𝙙𝟭𝟰𝟱𝟳𝟱𝟭𝟯𝟱𝟵𝟴 What I didn’t expect was to end up researching the benefits of crying, specifically emotional tears. These aren’t the dry contacts or dust-in-your-eye tears. They’re the tears that make you feel 10 pounds lighter when they’re over. And researchers are saying these tears release feel-good chemicals that help ease physical and emotional pain.  In short: find more reasons to laugh even if it means taking yourself a little less seriously or pretending your coworker really is as funny as they think. You might even laugh so hard you cry (like I did). That could mean double the benefits and your body will thank you for it. For more on the benefits of laughter, listen to Francine and I below. 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲: https://lnkd.in/gE5_B6pJ 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆:  https://lnkd.in/d9UMeiVK

When I used to intern at some of the larger law firms in India, I noticed something that a lot of the people working there go through. 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀. Death by a thousand paper cuts - tiny but relentless, that’s what it feels like. It is that feeling of being completely exhausted, overwhelmed, or constantly on edge, but not being able to pinpoint the exact reason. The accumulation of unnoticed, small stresses from daily interactions. Though insignificant individually, but together, they drain our energy. I did some research into how we could deal with this since I wanted to be more cognizant of this while building the work culture at Lawyantra. 𝟭. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹: ↳ Focus on addressing one manageable microstress a week for the first two weeks. ↳ This builds confidence and a sense of agency in tackling bigger stressors later. 𝟮. 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀: ↳ Build a "resilience network" of supportive people who offer perspective, humor, and help you navigate challenges. 𝟯. 𝗧𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀: ↳ Tackle larger micro stresses that have a more significant impact on your life. 𝟰. 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀: ↳ Micro Stress can come from worrying about loved ones.  ↳ Learn to "coach for independence" by encouraging them to solve problems and make decisions. You can shrink daily stressors down to size by practicing awareness and incremental effort. Identifying and managing micro stresses will lead to a more fulfilling and less stressful life. #microstress #stressmanagement #awareness #productivity

May is Mental Health Month. So, let me ask: How are you doing? Seriously. How are you REALLY doing? I speak to so many clients who wait too long to make a change. They endure difficult and demoralizing work climates, hoping that things will get better. While they wait, their confidence is eroded, making a job search that much more daunting. Please, don't let this happen to you. No job is worth your mental health. If you: ➙Don't get any satisfaction in your work ➙Routinely deal with people who are difficult ➙Do the work of 2 people (or more!) ➙Lack the resources to do your job well ➙Get no support from your direct supervisor ➙Are bullied or taken advantage of by co-workers ➙Find it difficult to muster the energy for your workday Then, your mental health is at risk. That is not okay! Here are 6 strategies to take care of yourself: 1️⃣ Map Your Triggers ↳ Document specific situations that drain you ↳ Track when your stress peaks ↳ Notice when you are withdrawing or in conflict 💡Action: Make adjustments where you can, based on what you learn 2️⃣ Create Non-Negotiable Boundaries ↳ Set firm work hours for yourself ↳ Block "recovery time" in your calendar ↳ Turn off notifications during deep work 💡Action: Communicate these changes with key people 3️⃣ Master the "Strategic Pause" ↳ Take micro-breaks (2-5 minutes every hour) ↳ Use lunch for actual lunch, not more work ↳ Practice quick breathing exercises between meetings 💡Action: Put these items in your calendar and set alarms to take care of yourself. 4️⃣ Control Your Controllables ↳ Organize your workspace ↳ Structure your day around your energy peaks ↳ Focus on what you can influence, not what you can't 💡Action: This is a habit. Keep coming back to what’s in your control when frustration builds. 5️⃣ Build Your Support System ↳ Connect with trusted colleagues ↳ Consider tapping into your Employee Assistance Program ↳ Look into professional counseling 💡Action: Ask for help, even when it makes you feel uncomfortable. You are worth it. 6️⃣ Prepare to Make a Change ↳ Activate your network and have casual conversations to test the waters ↳ Update your resume and your LinkedIn profile ↳ Build a list of target companies and research your options 💡Important Point: These steps aren’t a decision to leave. But, they will make it easier and quicker if you decide to do so. Reminder: Your mental health is non-negotiable. Protect it fiercely. 🎯 What's your best strategy for maintaining mental health at work? Tell us below! ♻️ Repost to support colleagues who might be struggling 🔔 Follow Sarah Baker Andrus for more career and workplace strategies

If you want to stay positive at work, read this carefully. Here are 7 daily practices that actually work in high-pressure jobs: 1. End-day reflection → list 3 things that went well. 2. Set clear work boundaries → no emails after specific hours. 3. Take 2-minute breathers every hour → step away from your desk. 4. Time-block your tasks → reduces overwhelm and increases focus. 5. Practice active acknowledgment → note 3 wins daily, no matter how small. 6. Use the "pause technique" → count to 5 before reacting to stressful situations. 7. Start with a 10-minute morning routine → meditation, gratitude list, or quick stretching. I've tested these extensively, and here's what I noticed: • Consistency matters more than perfection • Better boundaries = better performance • Your energy affects your entire team • Small actions compound over time The key is starting small. Don't try all 7 at once. Pick 2-3 practices and stick to them for 21 days. Then add more gradually. These aren't just "nice to have" - they're essential for long-term success in demanding roles. Keep showing up. Stay consistent. (Share this with your team) P.S. Which practice will you try first? Let me know below.

Stress Can Break You — Or Make You Stronger. Here's How. 💪 Ever felt like stress is crushing you? Like you're carrying the weight of expectations — yours, your team’s, and even your family’s? I know that feeling too well. There was a time when stress consumed me (literally) and my well-being took a hit. It triggered alopecia areata, causing me to lose all my hair, including my eyebrows and eyelashes. But in that struggle, I also found clarity. That was my turning point. In my last post, I shared 10 warning signs of stress you can't ignore (link in comment box). Since it’s April Stress Awareness Month, let’s keep the conversation going. Stress can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, it can become a catalyst for strength and growth. This month is a great time to reflect, recalibrate, and renew your focus on well-being. What steps are you taking to build resilience and turn stress into strength? 💡 Stress doesn’t have to break us. It can build us — if we know how to navigate it. That’s why I developed the C.A.R.E. framework, a science-backed, proven approach that has helped many professionals manage stress and build resilience to thrive amid challenges. 🔹Choose to Be Positive: Mindset influences behaviors and results. Train your mind to rewire thought patterns toward a positive pathway. 🔹Acknowledge Your Emotions: Emotions are messages — your body’s way of communicating alert signals. Ignoring or suppressing them won’t make them disappear. Process them to manage them and move forward. 🔹Reframe Your Mind: Every challenge, setback, or adversity holds a hidden gift. Find the gem — whether it’s an opportunity, a lesson, or a new perspective. 🔹Embrace Self-Talk: What you tell yourself becomes your reality — it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. Make it empowering. Stress is inevitable. But suffering? That’s optional. How do you shift your mindset when facing stress? #StressAwarenessMonth #Wellbeing #Resilience

🩺 What I Didn’t Learn in Medical School – #07 “Humor is a clinical skill”. Medical school taught me to be precise. To be serious. To be focused. After all, this was life and death … and that came with weight. But somewhere between long night shifts and tense moments in the OR, I learned something that no professor had put in the syllabus: Humor is not a distraction. It’s a tool. A well-placed joke can: Calm an anxious patient Defuse tension in a critical situation Build trust in a multidisciplinary team Remind us all we’re still human beneath the PPE I’m not talking about stand-up comedy or sarcasm. I mean small, empathetic moments that reconnect people. The kind of humor that says, “I see you. And we’re in this together.” In my career - whether working in hospitals, mentoring young physicians, or now as Chief Medical Officer - I’ve seen how a smile or light comment can shift the energy in the room. It’s not about being funny. It’s about being real and making space for joy, even when things are heavy. No one taught me this in med school. But I’ve come to believe: you can be serious about your work, without taking yourself too seriously. Sometimes, healing begins with a heartbeat. Sometimes with a chuckle. What role has humor played in your practice or your leadership? Follow #WhatIDidntLearn for weekly reflections on leadership, medicine, and everything in between. #WhatIDidntLearn #FutureOfMedicine #CMOReflections #gehealthcare

𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡, 𝐈 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐣𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬, 𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐱. As the pressure mounted, I noticed the telltale signs of stress creeping in – sleepless nights, short temper, and that ever-growing mental checklist. In the midst of this chaos, a mentor shared a simple yet profound piece of advice: "Pause, breathe, prioritize." Skeptical at first, I decided to give it a shot. 🧘♂️ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬-𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲: Instead of plunging headlong into my to-do list, I took a mindful pause. A few deep breaths later, I prioritized tasks based on urgency and importance. I also took short breaks to stretch, hydrate, and recalibrate my focus. Surprisingly, this intentional approach not only improved my productivity but also had a ripple effect on my team. By managing my stress, I created a positive atmosphere that encouraged open communication and collaboration. 🚀 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞: In the face of deadlines, take a moment to collect your thoughts. A few deep breaths can work wonders.💭 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲: Break down tasks, prioritize them based on urgency, and tackle one thing at a time. Rome wasn't built in a day, after all!🌐 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬: Incorporate short breaks for self-care – whether it's a brisk walk, a cup of tea, or a quick mindfulness exercise. Remember, it's okay not to have it all figured out, but it's crucial to have strategies in place to navigate the challenges. Here's to a stress-resilient and thriving workplace culture! #StressManagement #WorkplaceWellness #ProfessionalDevelopment #MindfulnessAtWork #CareerSuccess

As someone who works 7 days a week, I have had to create weekends and strict rest periods inside my days of active work. Saturday and Sundays are more led with personal tasks but I can't fully disconnect from the mission on weekends and so day naps, strict working days of 10am-3am and working after 8pm (the kids bedtime) become a method of achieving all of my goals and commitments. My consideration for you is: Clarify your values: Reflect on what truly matters to you. Identify your core values and aspirations in both your professional and personal spheres. Understanding what is most important will help you make more aligned choices. Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Determine specific times and spaces dedicated to work, and make a conscious effort to disconnect and engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment outside of work. Communicate your boundaries to colleagues, clients, and loved ones to foster respect and understanding. Prioritise self-care: Taking care of yourself is crucial for maintaining overall well-being. Prioritise self-care activities that recharge and rejuvenate you, such as exercise, quality sleep, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones. Remember that self-care is not selfish; it enables you to show up as your best self in all areas of life. Assess your workload: Evaluate your workload and responsibilities realistically. Be mindful of taking on too much and learn to delegate or say no when necessary. Recognise that you have limitations, and it is essential to avoid burnout by finding a sustainable balance between productivity and rest. Foster open communication: Engage in open and honest communication with your employer, colleagues, and loved ones about your work-life balance priorities. Clearly express your needs and concerns, and seek solutions that accommodate both personal and professional commitments. Collaborative dialogue can lead to mutually beneficial arrangements. Embrace flexibility: Explore opportunities for flexible work arrangements, such as remote work, flexible hours, or compressed workweeks. Flexibility can help create more space for personal pursuits and enable a better integration of work and life responsibilities. Practice mindfulness and presence: Cultivate mindfulness by being fully present in the present moment, whether you are at work or engaged in personal activities. By focusing on the task at hand, you can enhance productivity, reduce stress, and derive greater enjoyment from your experiences. Regularly reassess and adjust: Recognise that work-life balance is a dynamic process. Regularly assess your approach, considering your changing circumstances and priorities. Adjust your choices and commitments accordingly to maintain a harmonious equilibrium over time.