8 Tips: Build your Stress Fitness – your resistance to the toxic pressures & demands life can throw at you.

When your heart races, muscles tense & it’s hard to think straight. Feel overwhelmed, stressed out, unable to do anything about it… Remember that just as physical fitness can provide you with greater endurance, strength & stamina, you can increase your resistance to the negative effects of excessive pressures & demands too.

We’ve included some advice for building your resistance to stress (for full article from Sydney psychologist Sarah Edelman, click here ), along with a little inspiration for rejuvenating the mind, body & soul via one of our stunning NSW venue partners. So relax for a few minutes with your favourite cuppa & journey through to the end for a chance also to win the most beautiful pampering package to assist you de-stress!

• Know your enemy: To fight stressors, first make an "action plan" of your personal triggers. What are some of the key stressors in your life? The very act of planning & executing a strategy helps reduce feelings of helplessness & frustration. Open your mind to all strategies that may improve the situation & be prepared to work through trying them one by one.

• Get stress smart: Understanding the mechanics of stress in the body is a big help. Did you know? feeling stressed can change the way you breathe, altering the balance of gases in your body, making you feel bad? It can affect your emotions (can cause anger, lead to depression & anxiety), the way we think (concentration & memory) & way we behave (increased drinking, smoking, or insomnia)

• Rethink your thinking: it's easy to blame environmental factors for our stress, but often it's the way we think about situations that’s a large part of the problem. A job that seems too difficult or demanding, for instance, may be more manageable if you let go of inflexible beliefs, such as the notion you should never make mistakes, or that everyone in your workplace should approve of you.

• Practise relaxation: Ever noticed how stiff & sore your body feels after a rough day? Tense muscles are a key part of the way our bodies respond to stress. But practising relaxation regularly, even when you're not stressed, is also a buffer to becoming stressed in the first place. (Try this 10 minute breathing exercise)

• Be mindful: The basic philosophy of mindfulness is the resistance to unpleasant emotions or sensations that create added pain. If you can learn to just watch with curiosity, you don't get the secondary distress. You learn that thoughts are just thoughts not truths. (Here’s a short mindfulness meditation audio guide to try)

• Balance work with play: Spend too much time on challenges & difficulties, not enough on things you enjoy & your stress fitness will suffer. Simply, "a balanced lifestyle reduces vulnerability to stress." Interests take your mind off worries, giving a sense of fun & freedom to your life.

• Nurture relationships: Friends help distract & relax us, offer a different perspective on problems & can be a source of practical & emotional support in a crisis. Give yourself permission to have fun without guilt

• Look after your body: We cope better with stressful situations when we have high energy levels. Regular exercise (even brisk walking) healthy diet, enough sleep, not overdoing the alcohol...

Ultimately, an wholistic approach to managing your stress is the key...
Rejuvenate the mind, body & soul at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley – for you or your team?

Dreaming of escaping the bustling city to the countryside… relaxing in a private villa, immersed in the beauty of nature? Keen to practise some of the above techniques, whilst balancing work with play perhaps? Whether seeking a personal getaway, or if planning a management retreat, company team-building experience or incentive - look no further, as we have found the perfect wellness retreat, just a 2.5-hour drive from Sydney, nestled in the heart of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage-listed region.

This ultra-luxury conservation-based resort offers a quintessentially Australian bush experience where you can truly re-connect with nature. 40 free-standing villas, each with private shimmering pool - an ideal setting to relax, re-balance & re-new in one of the world’s most beautiful locations.

The resort’s extensive wellness offering begins with the One&Only Spa. A haven of pure tranquillity, boasting sweeping mountain views & state-of-the-art facilities; signature spa treatments utilise Australia’s own 100% chemical-free skin care range Sodashi, ensuring every treatment is a journey of holistic wellbeing & complete relaxation. After your personalised consultation with your dedicated spa therapist, you may choose to begin your stay with a 30-minute De-stress massage to ease into a weekend of bliss. (For more information on what Wolgan Spa Therapists can offer, click HERE)

Embark on a bespoke wellness programme; integrating luxurious & relaxing spa therapies plus personalised activities, from bushwalking to cycling & horse-riding. Yoga sessions are also available & held on the resort’s purpose built yoga deck with panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness.

Your wellness journey continues over meals too! Kick start your day with a freshly-squeezed detox juice & house-made muesli. The resort’s culinary philosophy focuses on seasonal, regional & where possible, organic produce - menus showcase fresh, wholesome & healthy cuisine. (For some culinary inspiration, test your skills with a Citrus & Fennel Salad - here)

We trust you enjoyed a little “time-out” from the everyday pressures & stress of your workplace. For those would may like to know more about some wonderful value-adds for group bookings at Wolgan (with a 12 seat boardroom, plus meeting space for 27 U-shape or 60 banquet style), OR, to have a chance to win an amazing wellness gift package – exclusive to EAN readers, check out the SPECIAL OFFERS section of this EAN news edition, or head to our BLOG page for all the details...

At TheVenueShop.com we compare apples with apples – accurate, like-for-like & presentation-ready proposals, straight to your inbox! Best rates guaranteed with no surprises, PLUS exclusive value-adds & rewards*, you reap all the benefits! The savviest of EAs rely on our fast turnaround & unrivalled connections to their advantage.

So when ready to get started on planning your next off-site, why not contact one of our Ultimate Consultants on 1300 843 836 or SUBMIT your requirements online, for true support & options to suit your tailored specifications.