To combat stress try something new
January 16, 2019
By Brian Maynor
Now that the holidays are behind us, it’s easy to assume life would calm down and stress levels would abate, but that isn’t true for everyone.
Post holiday stress can be just as bad, or worse than pre-holiday stress, especially when the bills start rolling in. Not to mention playing catchup while trying to close out one year to start another. It can all be overwhelming.
For many of us, coping with stress means buckling down and just powering through it, and while that may be great for getting things done it does little to nothing for coping or alleviating the actual stress and anxiety we feel. Another coping tactic is to disengage completely and runaway from the stress, only to find it still waiting for us when we return, with the added pressure of less time to deal with it. Again avoidance may provide a temporary relief from stress and anxiety, but instead of dealing with it, it can actually make it worse.
Maybe it’s time to try something new, or more specifically learn something new.
Here are three reasons why learning something new can actually help relieve stress and anxiety:
1. It makes us feel empowered. When we learn something new we gain a sense of accomplishment and growth, which is a great counter to feeling stress and anxiety. Plus we have the added benefit of expanding out skill set and general knowledge base.
2. Try group learning. Learning does not have to be a solitary experience, where we can get trapped in our heads. It is possible to learn from other people as well as include them in our learning process. Not only does the experience strengthen bonds, it promotes dialogue, which can bring to light ideas, issues and even insights not easily uncovered on our own.
3. Change how we see learning. I know some of us think of learning as another chore, or task that gets added to an already overloaded list, but there is a more constructive way of looking at learning. It helps if we think of learning as a break from our to-do list instead of just another item on it. When we think of it as a refuge, learning becomes more of a positive and enjoyable experience.
Learning doesn’t have to be a chore or one more thing we have to do. It can be a much needed break and resource, not only for the benefits of what we learn, but from the process itself. The difference is entirely on how we approach it. There are many benefits to learning, and now we can add reliving stress and anxiety to that list.
I’m always excited to hear from you, so please email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected].
About Brian Maynor
Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.
