Water Currents — Stress at work
This week’s current is about stress at work.
Emotions are information with energy. The goal isn’t to get rid of stress, but to increase our tolerance to it and stay connected to the best in ourselves as we move through it.
Here’s how stress at work typically shows up for each Watermark:
River
You tend to feel stress as emotional intensity and pressure to keep producing. You may flood yourself and others before fully processing what you’re feeling.
What to try this week: Create a small pause between feeling the stress and expressing it. Ask yourself, “What do I actually need right now?” before sharing.
Stream
You tend to process stress internally and may withdraw or become small when it feels overwhelming. You often keep your stress to yourself instead of asking for support.
What to try this week: Share one thing you’re stressed about with someone before you have it fully figured out. Let yourself be seen in the middle of it.
Lake
You tend to handle stress by getting more logical and self-reliant. You may solve problems in isolation and struggle to ask for help.
What to try this week: When stress hits, intentionally reach out to one person and say, “I’m struggling with this — can I get your thoughts?”
Ocean
You tend to respond to stress by taking charge and getting bigger. You may become controlling or dismissive of emotions (yours or others).
What to try this week: When you feel the urge to take control, pause and ask yourself, “What do I need right now?” then care for your stress before jumping into work mode.
Want to know your Watermark?
What an interesting way to view emotions and actions in response. I am noticing my emotions in real time these days and using them to make decisions. That is growth from the old days of shrinking from big emotions. Thanks for this insight.