Five keys to work life sanity

A colleague of mine recently shared how her workload has increased to the point of interrupting her childcare situation, exhaustion threshold and anxiety levels. Awaiting the complaining I anticipated, oddly enough, she didn't vent. Instead she responded, "I'm up for whatever they need me to do to be a team player." But the statement was followed by a big sigh and I wondered how long the outer appearance of, "Hey it's ok," would last in the face of the circumstances. Just one of many stories we're all hearing as we try to stay serene and sane in the workplace in tumultuous conditions.

For many, job stress comes with the package of working in an environment that appears to be sucking the life out of the masses. There are numerous studies and polls that speak to the high levels of stress associated with the workplace in this time of uncertainty. Too many to mention. For example, according to The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 75% of workers feel on-the-job stress.

Stress is only one symptom of a potentially larger issue – staying grounded and sane while the #**@*#*$ is hitting the proverbial fan. With the merging of our living and working experience, the work life blur sanity benchmark is reaching new highs. According to Merriam-Webster, sanity is defined as soundness or health of mind. Here are five keys to work life sanity sugared with words taken from some great minds.

1. Be kind to yourself and take a break. Italian philosopher and theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas once said, "Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of wine." We are our own worst critic at home and at work. A walk, exercise, a good book or a movie. Give yourself permission to wind down, even for a few minutes a day.
2. Explore your own brand of creativity. In The Reinvention of Work, A New Vision of Livelihood for our Time, theologian and prolific writer Matthew Fox wrote, "Our creativity is grace and grace is our creativity." View your work through a new lens. If you like to write, speak or have another artistic bent, think of ways to incorporate your skill in the workplace or in your family life.
3. Journal on a consistent basis.In times of frustration, saying what you want when you want to regardless of the consequences can create conflict at home and in the workplace. But venting your soul to your eyes only might give you a new perspective on your situation. In Sandy Grason's Journalution,she writes that journaling helps you put, "…people and situations in a context that will help you heal your wounds and extract meaning and purpose from your life."
4. Choose a method to keep you in the moment."The present moment is the only one over which we have dominion." This quote from Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh stands on its own. Whether it's a word, a piece of jewelry, a note on your desk, a picture. Assign it the duty to bring you back into the moment.
5. Remember to breathe.I have a sticky note on my computer that says breathe. The breathe is the healing elixir of life. It is the greatest healing tool to calm the mind and body. The interaction of activity and paying attention to how you breath requires concentration and will keep your mind focused on what is in front of you.

For those of you interested in learning more about using the breath to battle the insanity of our lives. Check out my CD – Practical Chaos: Reflections on Resilience.