Are long days at work stressing you out and sapping your energy?

If so, you certainly aren’t alone. Americans rank amongst the hardest-working people in the world, in terms of hours spent at an office or place of business. Unfortunately, the stress and pressures of modern employment can cause fatigue, irritability, indigestion, weight gain, and a host of other (potentially serious) health problems.

Since giving up work isn’t a realistic option for most of us, here are four great ways you can fight employment-related stress every day:

#1: Leave work at work – Some level of stress at work is unavoidable, especially if you have the kind of job that includes deadlines and responsibilities. But, there’s no reason you have to bring that tension home with you. Leave the laptop, turn off the phone, and use your downtime to relax and unwind.  Oftentimes, this is easier said than done.  Certain professions do not allow for this, such as being an educator.  However,  Dr. Rebeck can help you cope with those demands.

#2: Don’t leave loose ends – You can make it easier to leave your worries at the office by tying up loose ends before you leave. Return phone calls, file away paperwork, and get your desk organized for the next day. That way, these details won’t be on your mind when you should be focusing on friends and family.

#3: Get more sleep and exercise – Sleep, exercise, and a healthy diet are natural stress-fighters. While you might feel too tired to work out, or too stressed to skip your favorite late-night talk show, picking up healthier habits will make it easier for you to unwind in the long run.

#4: Change career paths – If you’re constantly stressed out by your job, it might be time to look at a new career path. It’s never too late to do something that makes you happy, especially if it improves your physical and mental health at the same time.

For more great advice on motivation, goal setting, and dealing with burn out, visit my blog for regular updates.    If there is medical (mental health) necessity, it is covered by most health insurances, but Dr. Rebeck is only in network with the Blue Cross PPO.

Wanting to change your life is one thing, but actually setting new habits (and breaking free of old ones) is another matter altogether. Sometimes, even when we really want to start living differently, barriers and human nature get in the way. This is one of the biggest reasons why people struggle to lose weight, repair relationships, and get help for substance abuse problems.

But, while changing habits and mindsets can be difficult at first, it is certainly possible. You just need the right plan of action and support. Here are three tips you can use to start making permanent improvements in your own life:

#1: Don’t wait for the perfect time – There is never going to be the perfect time to get started in a new direction, and waiting for circumstances to align only leads to procrastination. Instead of asking “when will things be right?” think in terms of “what can I do right now?”

#2: Start small – It’s very, very difficult to make sweeping life changes under the best of conditions. So, instead of trying to make huge changes all at once, begin by adopting small habits that you can keep – and build on – over time.

#3: Expect bumps in the road – If you give up at the first misstep or sign of resistance, you’ll never be able to reach your goals. Be prepared for setbacks. Expect that things won’t go your way sometimes. With that mindset, you can deal with the inevitable bumps in the road without letting them stop you.

Need some help making big changes? Call me today and make an appointment for counseling or hypnotherapy in my Naperville office.    If there is medical (mental health) necessity, it is covered by most health insurances, but Dr. Rebeck is only in network with the Blue Cross PPO.

Even if you have never been to a counseling session, you probably have some ideas about what it’s like. Unfortunately, those ideas might not be accurate – and the preconceived notions you’re holding onto could stop you from reaching your potential or letting go of unhelpful emotions.

In other words, counseling could help you turn a corner in your life… but only if you’re open to giving it a try. Here are a few reasons that counseling sessions can be so beneficial:

In counseling, you can talk without judgment – Although we aren’t always consciously aware of it, many of us filter our thoughts, ideas, and emotions on a daily basis. This can be because we don’t want to upset a friend, loved one, or employer. Or, it might be because we don’t even want to admit the truth of a situation to ourselves. Taking away judgment, which happens in a counseling atmosphere, can be a freeing, creative experience.  You can goat your own pace.

Counseling helps you find your own perspective – surprising as it might seem, we aren’t always aware of the way we think or feel about the situations we face in our lives. But, by talking things through, and bringing different ideas to the front of our minds, we can discover a new perspective on the challenges we are facing.

Counseling can be a great way to break through mental deadlocks or indecision – When you combine focused thinking, lack of judgment, and new perspective, many common mental barriers melt away. For that reason, a few counseling sessions can be all that’s needed to find the direction you’ve been looking for.

I would urge anyone who’s considering counseling to remain open and give it a try. It could be just what’s needed to start feeling better and moving forward!  If there is medical (mental health) necessity, it is covered by most health insurances, but Dr. Rebeck is only in network with the Blue Cross PPO.