subject: 2 Powerful Ways to Control Stress During a Meeting or Interview [print this page] 2 Powerful Ways to Control Stress During a Meeting or Interview
If you've ever experienced the feeling of sweat dripping under your suit, or wondered if others could actually hear your heart beat because it was beating so loud during an interview or meeting, you are not alone. The best course of action in this situation is to take complete control of your body mentally and physically to relax and focus.
Take control of your mental state
Our minds are powerful tools. You have the ability to control the way you perceive or react to a situation by controlling the way you look at it. More specifically, consciously turn your pessimistic thoughts into positive thoughts and use your fear as positive energy to help you get through the interview. Adrenaline is empowers youwhen you take charge of it. Turning negative or fearful thoughts intopositives oneswillhelp to alleviate stress.
Breathe!
There is significant science behind our breathing rate and stress. In short, our brain sets our breathing rate according to carbon dioxide levels, rather than oxygen levels. High levels of carbon dioxide are emptied out of the blood when someone becomes anxious and unconsciously takes shallow breaths using their shoulders rather than the diaphragm to move air in and out of their lungs.
High levels of carbon dioxide lead to an imbalance of gases in the body (gross I know!). Shallow over-breathing can thus lead to symptoms of stress such as chest tightness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, heart palpitations, insomnia and numbness in thehands and face.
Try the following breathing exercise next time you're feeling stress out:
With your mouth closed, slowly inhale through your nose for about 5 or 6 seconds.
Hold the breath for 2 to 3 seconds. Exhale slowly through your mouth, taking up to 8 seconds.
A relaxed breathing pattern seems to calm the autonomic nervous system, which in turn governs involuntary bodily functions. Some benefits, other than immediate feelings of calmness and wellbeing, include lowered blood pressure, reduced levels of stress hormones and an improved immune system.
Use this knowledge of the science behind the symptoms we experience while under stress and consciously work to control your mind and body.
