It is very important for us to realize the danger of tension which normally arises at work place and home as well. This in turn results in mental depression, hypertension, diabetes, heart ailments etc. The following disadvantageous should also be considered.
A. Loss of happiness
B. Reduction in efficiency, increase in carelessness etc.
C. Bad temperament and loss of goodwill
D. Restless life, sleepless nights etc.
Therefore it is very important to take steps to avoid tension. I quote below 12 golden rules to avoid tension.
* Ability - It should be noted that tension usually arises due to inability to fulfill your tasks. i.e. workload is more than your ability. You must improve your ability by way of additional qualification and training. It is also better to inform the management so that they could take corrective action. If not, it may be better to search for another job as you cannot sacrifice your health in turn of additional income.* Pleasant start - Please your day at home and work place with pleasant mood. You should create a determination to be pleasant throughout the day. Getting up in the morning, taking adequate exercises, good meals and friendly family conversation will help you to commence your work at your office with a pleasant mood.
* Planning - This is very important. Please plan your work and allocate same among your staff in a proper way without depending on one or two persons. Absenteeism should not affect your work. Substitutes should be available. In some cases a work cannot be started unless another work is completed. This is called critical work. Please allocate your work in the following manner:
more1. Urgent and important eg. Tax matters
2. Urgent but not important
3. Important but not urgent eg. Early preparation of salaries
4. Neither important nor urgent
You must realize that if the responsibility of finishing a job is placed on you delaying serves no purpose. Finish your difficult and even unpleasant work early, so that you could feel relaxed to commence other work.
* Balanced life - Please try to lead a balanced life. Adequate exercise, rest (body and mental) good meal, utilization of leave facility, paying attention to family matters are important. It should be noted that a pleasant family life helps you to overcome difficulties at office.
* Meals, drinks etc - It is better to avoid fatty (animal), spicy, fried foods which upset your health. Steamed vegetables, fruits, proper diet recommended by your doctor is beneficial. Drink adequate water, butter, milk, natural juices, instead of artificially sweetened drinks. Do not have heavy meals before going to bed which may result in a heart attack.
* Avoidance of liquor, smoke etc. - Please avoid liquor, smoke, drugs forever. This will make matters worse and you will be become addicted which in turn weaken your health.
* Rest - It is very important to have adequate rest, both body and mental. Breathing exercises will help you to relax fast. Deep breathing, inhaling and expelling air through your nose at regular intervals will keep you fit. It is called Pranayamam in yoga exercises and Chi-Kung in Chinese. I understand in Japan office staff are engaged in stretching exercises at regular intervals with music.
* Exercise - Select suitable exercise to keep you fit. You could exercise in the morning when you are in bed which will help you to recover strength early. This practice had been adopted by Buddhist monks in Tibet. Your exercise should adjust in accordance to your age, health etc. You should not engage in heavy exercise like weight lifting when you are old. Brisk walk and swimming are acceptable to all. Swimming with young girls (of course with your wife's permission) will help you to recover mental strength and will-power.
* Meditation - It is very important to meditate regularly. After morning exercises meditation will help you to bring your mind and body to rest. Meditation in bed before sleeping ensures sound sleep.
* Family life - Please get involved in your family matters and participate in every aspect for the improvement. From experience I observe that a person who is having a pleasant family life leads a successful life in every aspect.
* Sense of humour - Please develop a sense of humour which will keep you relaxed forever and diminishes your tension. Do not be rude to others and keep tension high. Great leaders like Mahathma Gandhi, Windson Churchill had very good sense of humour and that was their secret of success.
* Safety measures - Please take safety measures which help you to avoid losses. For example having a proper insurance cover avoids heavy losses at the time of difficulty. Taking regular medical check-up, diversifying investments etc. insures that proper safety measures are taken. In turn it helps you to avoid tension.
The writer is a Council Member, The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka
Courtesy - Daily News - S R Balachandran
