Tension
It’s not a good thing, right… Well that is where this post started from. But I think it’s more about balance.
When I started thinking about tension, it was all negative. I am talking about stress and tension. I have my stress signs that pop up – a sore back, maybe an ache in the shoulders that creeps up my neck across my head and culminates in a frown.
But as I thought more, I realised that a bit of tension is a good thing too. Using a transport analogy, your car and your bike both need tension. The belts and cables won’t do their thing without the right amount of tension.
However, if there is too much tension the parts in the vehicle won’t operate either.
Finding the right place on the continuum has got to be the objective. Balance is the key. Without some degree of stress and tension, the wheels just won’t turn. Too much will take its toll and things will wear out and break, or not move at all.
I think that most people in this audience are going to be suffering from too much tension though.
This is my attempt to take a look at myself and see how I go about bringing tension into the acceptable range.
First challenge is to notice there is even a problem. Whether I am being snappy, feeling lethargic and overtired, or have the stressy aches and pains mentioned above, if things are out of whack I somehow need that ‘ah ha’ moment realising that things need to change.
Getting priorities right around exercise, a nutritious and healthy diet, and taking myself out of the stressors for a short period of time (but not so long that it builds work pressure up further) has to be my next step. In the Auckland region we have been blessed with a mild April, plenty of bright sunny days to grab a dose of vitamin D and some exercise.
I notice that when I am stressed I forget to breathe as deeply as I should. Deep breathing and exercises like box breathing are all methods that have been shown to lower stress levels. Shallow breathing seems to store tension. The added benefit of a good run around or cardio class is that you get your exercise, and breathing needs met.
From there hopefully with a clearer head I can look at the to do list and apply ‘Dump, Delegate, Do or Defer‘. I talked about this here last about a year ago.
Once the blood has been pumping and the job sheet has been reduced, we are more likely to be able to give all those other things in life the consideration they deserve. Our relationships and other responsibilities can be attended to.
What I think I am talking about is a priority reset. I know I am not the only one that has the tendency to get the ‘point of it all’ upside down. I am trying to keep this front of mind. We are certainly here to build great things and make an impact on the world with what we do. But if the cost is steadily increasing tension and stress at the expense of good health, I think that a look at priorities is in order.
If I can sum it up, I think we need to take care of ourselves first, and from that place we are able to branch out and perform and serve effectively from a place of balance.
