Managing job and workplace stress
MANAGING JOB AND WORKPLACE STRESS
Some stress is a normal part of life. Excessive stress interferes with your productivity and reduces your physical and emotional health, so it’s important to find ways to keep it under control.
Since job and workplace stress grow in times of economic crisis, it’s important to learn new and better ways of coping with the pressure. The ability to manage stress in the workplace can be the difference between success or failure on the job.
Steps you can take to reduce your stress level at work:
Step 1 – Take responsibility for improving your physical and emotional well-being.
Step 2 – Avoid pitfalls by identifying knee-jerk habits and negative attitudes that add to the stress you experience.
Step 3 – Learn better communication skills to ease and improve your relationships with management and coworkers.
Warning Signs of Excessive Stress at Work
When people feel overwhelmed, they lose confidence and become irritable or withdrawn, making them less productive and effective and their work less rewarding. If the warning signs of work stress go unattended, they can lead to bigger problems. Beyond interfering with job performance and satisfaction, chronic or intense stress can also lead to physical and emotional health problems such as:
· Feeling anxious, irritable, or depressed
· Apathy - loss of interest in work
· Problems sleeping
· Fatigue
· Trouble concentrating
· Muscle tension or headaches
· Stomach problems
· Social withdrawal
· Use of alcohol or drugs to cope
Reduce Job Stress by Taking Care of Yourself
When your own needs are taken care of, you’re stronger and more resilient. The better you feel, the better equipped you are to manage stress at work without becoming overwhelmed.
Small things can lift your mood, increase your energy, and make you feel like you are back in the driver’s seat. Take things one step at a time. In time, you will notice a difference in your stress level both at home and at work.
- Get moving – 30 minutes of activity can help your stress level.
- Choose foods that keep you going and make you feel good.
- Drink alcohol in moderation and avoid nicotine.
- Get enough sleep.
- Reduce Job Stress by Prioritizing and Organizing
Your growing sense of self-control will be perceived by others as strength leading to better relationships at work, and for you, feeling a sense of control.
· Create a balanced schedule. Analyze your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks. All work and no play is a recipe for burnout. Try to find a balance between work and family life, social activities and solitary pursuits, daily responsibilities and downtime.
· Don’t over-commit yourself. Avoid scheduling things back-to-back or trying to fit too much into one day. All too often, we underestimate how long things will take. If you’ve got too much on your plate, distinguish between the “shoulds" and the “musts." Drop tasks that aren’t truly necessary to the bottom of the list or eliminate them entirely.
· Try to leave earlier in the morning. Even 1-15 minutes can make the difference between frantically rushing to your job and having time to ease into your day. Don’t add to your stress level by running late.
· Plan regular breaks. Make sure to take short breaks throughout the day to sit back and clear your mind. Try to get away from your work at lunch. Stepping away from work to briefly relax and recharge will help you be more, not less, productive.
