A Map for Less Stress

What does living with less stress mean?

Living with less stress means different things for different people. For you, it may mean being proactive about your health and preventing the drastic consequences of stress. It may mean coming back from “burn-out” and learning new habits. It may mean taking a time out of a busy workday to enjoy, have fun and remember what inspires you. It’s different for each of us.

But one thing is similar. You can get sidetracked. You can lose your way. You can push aside an intuitive hunch that it’s time to go for a walk. Time for a cup of tea. Time to shift perspective. Even with the best intentions, you can lose your way without a map.

Why should you make a map?

Just look at how the human brain processes information. Our brains think in pictures and use visuals to select information. There are approximately one million nerve fibers in each optic nerve—that’s two million nerve fibers devoted to processing visual information. There are approximately 30,000 nerve fibers devoted to auditory processing.

If you use the brain architecture as a model, it makes sense to draw a picture, make a map, and add a diagram in order to anchor information.

In addition, according to research by 3M, visual information is processed 60,000 times faster than text alone. So your brain is wired for pictures. A map of how you plan to live with less stress supports your efforts, helps you track your actions and helps you stay on course. Your ability to live with less stress is supported by making a map.

How can you track progress?

It helps to have a map to see where you are going. To track where you are making progress.

A visual graph, diagram or chart can show you where you are changing, and what is happening over time. It’s rewarding to look at a colorful map and see how all the small choices add up into a visible change. It’s motivating to continue your efforts because you can see the impact on a chart.

When you embark on changing your responses, habits, and lifestyle every new positive choice is success. To say, “yes” to relaxing, to make time for a walk, to have a cup of tea and a quiet moment instead of stressing—that is huge. You’ll want to support your positive momentum by visually recording these changes.

A visual map makes it easy to see multiple changes all at one glance. Unlike a list or written journal, a map is not linear. Instead, the holistic approach to information makes it easy to use. It’s quick to see at a glance what is important.

A map makes it easy to identify patterns and relationships. Just think about the very first map you used in this course: the Stress Cycle Map. If you’d written out all your answers, it would have taken a long time and you still might not see the connections. With a map, it’s obvious. Additionally, it’s fast to reference a map. You can look at several maps at once and get a big picture overview of a situation.

Make a Map Now! You can make a map of the stress-less habits you’ve been using during this course. Use a pencil or pen to draw a sketch of a circular clock. Draw one large circle and then put a mark at 12,3,6 and 9. Now add two more marks in each quarter just like the hours on a clock.

On each “hour” write a key word from the course lessons such as: time management, diet, exercise or sleep. Write in one thing that you’ve done differently in this area. It could be a new way of thinking, a new behavior or a new action.

Use your clock to for self-reflection. What do you notice? Are some areas blank? Are other areas crowded? Do you feel good about what you see?

Use visual mapping for thinking and self-reflection. You’ll find that it’s fun to make a map and see how you are making progress. It’s rewarding and motivating to set your goals and track your results.

Take This With You:

Make a clock like map of your new stress habits. Put it on the wall where it’s easy to see and easy to add new input. Use it as a living reflection of your new habits.

Discover the power of visual mapping to be creative with less stress. Learn field- tested mapping techniques to make a change and succeed in bringing your dreams into action.

Find out how to Reduce Stress in: Design Yourself: A course to chart a journey, design a process, build a project or realize a dream.

Click here for more information and to get your copy: http://www.better-stress-advice.com/product-design-yourself.html

Milly is author of Beyond Words: A Guide to Drawing Out Ideas. She is co-author with Thomas Sechehaye of just-released Design Yourself and SOS: Stress Options and Solutions available at http://www.better-stress-advice.com

Milly and Thomas translate field-tested methods, from 17 years at Hands•On Graphics corporate trainings, to practical tools to help you reduce stress today!

Discover the newest visual and holistic approaches to manage stress and reduce information overload. http://www.better-stress-advice.com