In my last couple of blogs, I’ve discussed stress in the workplace. We’ve identified what is causing your stress and how your employer can help reduce stress in the office. Now, let’s talk about what you can do to reduce stress at work.
www.HelpGuide.org is a great website to visit for guides to mental, emotional and social health. They also have good tips on how to deal with job and workplace stress.
If stress on the job is interfering with your ability to work, care for yourself, or manage your personal life, it’s time to take action. No matter what you do for a living, or how stressful your job is, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce your overall stress levels and regain a sense of control at work. Here are five tips from their website.
1. Beat workplace stress by reaching out.
Sometimes the best stress-reducer is simply sharing your stress with someone close to you. The act of talking it out and getting support and sympathy—especially face-to-face—can be a highly-effective way of blowing off steam and regaining your sense of calm. The other person doesn’t have to “fix” your problems; they just need to be a good listener.
Of course, you may not have a close buddy at work, but you can take steps to be more sociable with your coworkers. When you take a break, for example, instead of directing your attention to your smart phone or tablet, try engaging your colleagues.
2. Support your health with exercise and nutrition.
When you’re overly focused on work, it’s easy to neglect your physical health. But when you’re supporting your health with good nutrition and exercise, you’re stronger and more resilient to stress.
Taking care of yourself doesn’t require a total lifestyle overhaul. Even small things can lift your mood, increase your energy, and make you feel like you’re back in the driver’s seat. Take things one step at a time, and as you make more positive lifestyle choices, you’ll soon notice a noticeable difference in your stress level, both at home at work.
3. Don’t skimp on sleep.
You may feel like you just don’t have the time get a full night’s sleep. But skimping on sleep interferes with your daytime productivity, creativity, problem-solving skills, and ability to focus. The better rested you are, the better equipped you’ll be to tackle your job responsibilities. What’s more, when you’re operating on a full-night’s sleep, it’s much easier to keep your emotional balance, a key factor in coping with job and workplace stress.
4. Prioritize and organize.
When job and workplace stress threatens to overwhelm you, there are simple, practical steps you can take to regain control over the situation. Your growing sense of self-control will also be perceived by others as the strength it is, leading to better relationships at work.
5. Break bad habits that contribute to workplace stress.
Many of us make job stress worse with negative thoughts and behavior. If you can turn around these self-defeating habits, you’ll find employer-imposed stress easier to handle.
I highly recommend visiting www.HelpGuide.org. You can’t always avoid the tensions that occur on the job, but by following these 5 tips, you can make that stress more manageable.
