Managing Secondhand Stress

Ever since the Wall Street Journal article came out late last year about “secondhand stress,” the concept has been showing up all over the media.

In case you missed it: business people everywhere are coping—or not—with the stressful effects of being around that one person (you know who it is) who is always rushing, demanding, frantic—making life miserable for everyone in his or her wake.

If it’s your boss, it can be overwhelming—enough to make you want to change jobs.

If it’s a colleague, you could be sinking into a morass of self-criticism and competitive envy.

If it’s your competitor, your self-esteem could feel like it’s in the sub-basement.

(And what if it’s you? Surely you’re under an enormous amount of pressure to be able to cause such chaos around you?)

The WSJ article had a list of 5 common responses to secondhand stress: anxiety, inferiority, avoidance, desperation, resentment. Not healthy workplace attitudes!

Several counselors and coaches were quoted on how to better manage time and set priorities. But I think its even more important to start from a place of relaxation: stress is so much more manageable when you can confront it feeling centered and well-rested.

Reflexology is a powerful tool to help you get into that place of “relaxed but aware.” During a foot reflexology session, your mind typically slips into slower brainwave rhythms—such deep, restorative rest that even 20 minutes can help rejuvenate you more than several hours of shuteye. You arise refreshed, perhaps with a more positive outlook on life.

Then, as you move back into your day, you may find that you are able to concentrate better on the work at hand. Coming from a place of relaxation and focus, you are able to choose how to respond to workplace demands. When you feel calm and engaged, you can begin to make those changes the experts recommend to help you manage your stress:

- Set limits on your to-do list: be more realistic about what you can get done in a day.
- Turn off the email—if you can, turn off the phone!—for a designated time period so you can fully concentrate on getting work done.
- Negotiate your deadlines: don’t let those stress-makers push you around!

Now, not all those steps may be doable right away, especially if you work in an environment where the manager enjoys power struggles.

But when you look at your workplace objectively, from a grounded place of relaxation and calm focus, you will see what you can do to lighten your stress load. Even if it’s baby steps at first, you will begin to shape your workplace as a place where you feel empowered, not overstressed.

Can reflexology help you manage your workplace stress? Call 404-406-5204 or email for an appointment to find out!