I was watching a video of the CEO of a well-known firm addressing a class of university students. Stress came up as a topic of discussion several times because the CEO’s job involved dealing with big-ticket clients, which came with their share of turmoil and frenzy.
“How did you handle such a stressful and anxiety-prone job for so many years?” asked a student.
The man said that there was one thing he did every night, irrespective of how the day had panned out. He went for an intense run. He particularly looked forward to this nightly run on his bad days. It helped in pushing away anxious thoughts about the future and brought him back to the present.
I call this — his nightly run — an anchor point.
We all need an anchor point
It can be any activity, as long as it engages both your mind and body and is deeply embedded in your daily routine. It’s an activity that has become muscle memory, one that you have to do every day, no matter what, like brushing your teeth.
Today’s dynamic work environment brings several challenges, and leaders often seek calm in the chaos around them. Tools like having an anchor point to fall back on can be invaluable.
Every evening, when I was the CEO of a digital media firm, I would walk down from my office to a cafe a few miles away. I would put on my AirPods and listen to a podcast while walking, switching between a stroll and a brisk stride depending on how pleasant or dreary the surroundings were, and how great or boring the podcast episode felt.
When I reached the cafe, I would take a corner table and order my favorite cup of pour-over coffee. Next, I would take out a mini diary that I was carrying in my pocket and start scribbling. Sometimes, I would spend the whole time reading a book, whether it was a hard copy or on Kindle.
Depending on how hungry I was, I would either have dinner or leave with just the coffee in my belly. The return was the same long walk, mainly in the dark, amidst the cacophony of traffic, consisting of vehicles jostling for space and people trying to get back home after a long workday.
The importance of ritual
This daily ritual — long walks and writing or reading with a cup of coffee — became my anchor point. It gave me space and time to think, helping to clear my mind. I found that the forward movement of the body had a strangely calming effect on the mind. It helped my mind to stop racing and prevented it from spiraling into a black hole of negative emotions.
Creating an anchor point means weaving this activity into your daily routine — ideally at the same time each day. It needs to be realistic and achievable, something you can do regardless of your location.
For me, it’s a walk, followed by writing. For you, it could be painting. All you have to do is carry a few brushes, tiny bottles of colors, and a notebook with clear pages or a few A4 sheets. I’m not joking — I saw someone painting while on a flight. I was at the window, she was in the aisle, and I couldn’t help but look at what she was making. It was strangely relaxing for me; imagine how good it must have been for her.
Engage the brain
The concept of an anchor point is to select an activity that pushes you to move and create.
There’s enough research on how simple movements can benefit your mental health. So does creativity and the act of making something with your hands.
Activities like watching a movie may be relaxing, but engaging your brain and body is always a better way to calm your nerves and restore inner balance.
And once you start doing it day in and day out, it’ll become a routine, like brushing your teeth and bathing. No matter how your day goes, you never forget to brush your teeth, right?
So, find your anchor point and return to it whenever you feel overwhelmed.
Opinions expressed by SmartBrief contributors are their own.
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