How Family And Fun Help Sir Richard Branson To Beat Stress
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How Family And Fun Help Sir Richard Branson To Beat Stress
There are some crazy busy entrepreneurs who have their s*** together to slow down and manage their stress
INSIGHT : How Family And Fun Help Richard Branson To Beat Stress - Lessons to Learn…
As a 10-year-old, he was struggling with school and dyslexia. His restless spirit and poor academic records meant that he was nearly expelled from school. This is a lot of stress on a 10-year-old boy which could, and does, impact negatively children, youth, and their becoming.
Later in life, Sir Richard Branson reflected, if only my 10-year-old self could see that my dyslexia and my different ways of thinking would become one of my biggest strengths and would lead me on a wonderful adventure beyond the school gates.
The English Business Magnate, Investor, Philanthropist, and Founder of the Virgin Group changed his perspective and turned the negative into “positive stress”. He chose to perceive the situation in a different, optimistic, positive way.
If you perceive something as a challenge instead of a burden, the fear (stress) you would normally experience may turn into excitement (positive stress) and anticipation. You can shift your perspective for example by doing this:
Reminding yourself of your strengths
Focusing on the resources you have to face the challenges
Seeing the potential benefits of your situation
“Thinking differently makes you unique and allows for so many different ideas, innovations, and adventures to unravel. Don’t be afraid to embrace the quirks, think bigger, follow your passions, explore your creative thoughts, and hold onto your underlying sense of optimism.” – Sir Richard Branson
Branson became successful due to his way of turning his weaknesses into strengths, both for himself and his business. His positive attitude and capability to change perspective also helped him on his stressful journey to be one of the most successful entrepreneurs.
Positive stress can be invigorating and motivational, but it is crucial that this doesn’t turn into negative stress. Branson dealt with stress in a very at-ease way when facing obstacles and failure.
“Stress and business go hand-in-hand, and that’s not a bad thing; high-pressure situations can certainly be motivating, but too much pressure can be emotionally and physically damaging.” - Sir Richard Branson
Richard Branson’s life is for sure busy, serial entrepreneur, leading companies and people, creating a family (with lots of active family life), charity work, etc. How did Richard Branson manage to not fall victim to the stress machine?
For Branson, it comes down to
Family time, as a strong support system and a balance to work
Social time, having fun (“You’re far more likely to succeed and do a good job if you’re enjoying yourself”)
Nature time, spending time outdoors, and connecting to nature
Exercise and a healthy diet
It varies from person to person how one slows down and what measures one chooses to counteract the high demands and pressure one experiences. You have to identify the methods that fit you and your values.
I made spending time outdoors and in nature part of my lifestyle because these aspects are very important to me. Nature and moving around outdoors make me happy. Full stop.
So, naturally, I make sure it is part of my lifestyle and it certainly helps to slow down and stress less.
Research has shown how spending time in nature has a very positive impact on people’s well-being and stress-related symptoms.
Slow down. Give yourself, your mind, and your subconscious some space and air to breathe.
What are your values and what is important to you that makes you feel good and takes your stress away?
Stepping away for a moment, taking a break, giving yourself some space to breathe and just letting go can sometimes do wonders.
“Have you ever noticed that something you forgot might just appear in your mind whilst you’re out on a walk or in the shower? It’s because you can think more clearly when you give yourself some space to do so. I often have my best thinking time when I’m playing a game of tennis, or cycling.” Sir Richard Branson
IMPULSE : Studies Support How Nature Reduces Stress
I think it should be a natural and normal sensation that being out in nature feels good and, respectively, is good for your health, your well-being, and your mind.
There is also research done in that field and a growing number of study results reveal the benefits of nature for mental health, including higher mental well-being and lower risk of mental illness. Lots of research has focused on the value of regular contact with green spaces and nature, including forests, parks, gardens, and trees. But there have also been a few studies on the value of blue spaces, including visible areas of water such as lakes, rivers, canals, ponds, and seas.
Read more about it here on nature dot com »»»
The power of nature on your well-being is also subject at Stanford’s BeWell program.
As simple as it sounds, connecting with nature can make you feel better.
Being in contact with nature, even in small ways (like noticing the spring flowers or putting a plant in your office), can take you a step away from your daily grind, and lead you to feel more positive and calmer. And several scientists have suggested that the deep affiliations humans have with nature are rooted in our biology.
Read more about it here on the bewell Stanford page »»»
INDEPTH : We Stress About Things We Care For
We only stress about things that we care about.
And then you have a choice. You can get stressed out or you can choose to perceive the situation in a different, optimistic, positive way.
It’s your mindset about the stress which makes a big difference in your health and happiness. Many things we stress about are more about how we think about stress.
There are suggestions, and research studies, that we can twist negative stress into positive one.
Read my whole article here on medium dot com »»»
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