December 5th, 2023

For most of us, stress is an uninvited companion we find on the path to following our dreams. With the rise of “Hustle Culture”, society often teaches us that success is synonymous with stress, a belief that can create barriers on our path to feeling fulfilled. Rejecting this narrative that stress is a necessary component of success will give us fulfillment, especially when taking the time to reset and connect with our bodies.

Our bodies allow us to survive and thrive—neglecting your body’s needs, such as forgetting to eat because you’re so busy working, puts our lives in a harmful state. In the ambitious pursuit of our goals, it's easy to forget about the importance of nurturing your body. To combat stress, it’s important that each of us tap into our bodies. This can be things like following your gut, focusing on your breathing, or taking a 10-minute meditation break. When I put time and effort into listening to myself, I realize that the stress I feel is far from being a badge of honor. Instead of letting stress serve as evidence of how hard I work, I now see it as a problem to be proactive about.

Meditation and intentional breathing are two ways to reduce stress. These practices offer a sanctuary within the self that protects us from the demands of modern life. As a CEO, I find it hard not to be easily stressed. With many people to manage, tight deadlines, and a large pile of tasks, it makes sense that stress seeps in on a daily basis. The point here is that stress will always be here, but it is important to change the narrative of it being tied to success and find ways to minimize it. Meditation invites us to observe our thoughts without judgment, creating a space for clarity and objectivity in an otherwise stressful situation. Intentional breathing grounds us in our bodies in the present moment, disrupting the physical symptoms of stress. When life feels chaotic, I use resources like the Headspace app or meditation videos and breathing exercises on YouTube to reconnect with myself. Something even as simply as booking yourself a monthly massage does wonders for your body, mind, and productivity.

Relieving stress isn't just about personal well-being; it's an investment in workplace success. Take this as a reminder that spending time on yourself is just as important as the tasks on your to-do list. Yes, taking time to connect with our bodies may seem counterintuitive when we’re busy. Yet, refocusing our awareness and reconnecting with ourselves is a strategic move toward workplace success. Fostering a mindful connection with our bodies gives us the tools to navigate challenges intentionally.

A key to mastering stress and overcoming life's challenges lies in our ability to pause, breathe, and reconnect. Cultivating habits that prioritize the well-being of our minds and bodies is not a luxury—it's a necessity. Strength isn't just in our outward achievements. True success lies in our capacity to truly connect with ourselves.

The holidays are the perfect time to hone in on a stressful situation and recognize when we need to take a pause for ourselves. When things start to get chaotic, I encourage you to look inward, listen to your body, and breathe.

Sydney Addis