A Few Creative Ideas for How to Manage Stress

In my work as a coach to leaders in tech, I spend a lot of time with people who are working under enormous stress.

From the many heavy conversations I’ve had lately I’ve heard some creative ideas for how to manage this stress. A few really resonated with me, and I wanted to share them:

1. Get Back to Basics

Remember the kind of work that fires you up, and that maybe you haven’t been doing in a while. Find a way to add more of that into your schedule so that you have parts of your day you actually look forward to.

2. Make Time at the End of the Day to “Shut Down”

One founder I spoke to says that before ending his work day he spends 20-30 minutes writing in his notebook. He notes the important things that happened that day, and what he needs to tackle the following day. This ritual allows him to close his work day and be present for his family rather than worrying about loose ends all evening.

3. Go Outside

A number of folks I spoke to stressed the importance of going outside and being in nature in some way shape or form. One person said that it’s so important to him that often he needs to put it on the calendar to make sure it happens.