How to Effectively Deal with Stress and Boost Your Mental Wellbeing

Feeling overwhelmed and like there’s too much on your mind? It’s not uncommon in the hustle culture of Hong Kong’s professional world, but recognising that you need to take a load off is the first step towards better wellbeing, and effectively dealing with stress and anxiety. In this article, we’ll explore practical steps to clear your mind, release tension, and achieve better work-life balance.

Step 1: Reflection and Awareness

The first and most critical step in addressing the monkey mind (non-stop internal chatter and noise) is self-awareness. Taking a moment to reflect and recognise that something needs to change is essential for coping with stress. 
So block some time in your calendar for a coffee break and take a moment of solitude to reflect. Then grab your journal, and get started with the following:

• Jot down everything that occupies your mind, be it work-related tasks to personal responsibilities and relationships. 
  
• Include future projects, professional or personal. Try to let your thoughts spill freely onto the page.
  

This process will help to declutter the mind, identify what’s not serving you, and gain perspective. It’s like clearing out the pipes of your mental workspace, making room for more focus and efficiency.

Step 2: Define Your Priorities

Once you’ve taken stock of your thoughts, it’s time to decide what needs to change. To do this, you can ask yourself the following:

• Where do you see yourself in six months, one year, or two years from now?
  
• Create three columns and title them respectively: things you are satisfied with, points of frustration, and ambitions or unfulfilled desires.
  

Writing these down will clarify your thoughts and help you visualise your priorities.
From this list, decide what you want to keep doing and what you want to change. What changes do you want to make in the next twelve months? This step will help you align your goals and aspirations with your mental wellbeing.

Step 3: Rethinking Productivity and Performance

In my work as a life coach, I often see people struggling with themselves to produce more and more results. But let me ask you a question: what if that was totally off the mark?
To ease your mind, consider reevaluating your concepts of productivity and performance. Often, we focus on being constantly busy and productive, but is that really the path to happiness and success? Consider the following:

• Instead of trying to do more, focus on doing a few relevant tasks exceptionally well.
  
• Productivity is not about checking off endless to-do lists but about setting and achieving meaningful goals.
  
• Being proactive and approaching tasks thoughtfully is often more effective than being reactive to external demands.
  

Redefining your approach to productivity can help reduce stress and lead to better mental wellbeing. It’s about working smarter, not harder!

Step 4: Practical Guidance

As you reflect on your achievements over the past six to twelve months, consider seeking practical guidance. Whether it’s from a life coach, career coach, or life coaching articles, professional guidance can provide valuable insights and tools for managing work stress and finding clarity in your life. 
Feeling like there’s too much on your mind is a common challenge in today’s fast-paced world. However, with self-awareness, clear priorities, and a redefined approach to productivity, you can regain control of your mental health and manage stress effectively.