April is Stress Awareness Month. Stress can manifest in many areas of one’s life but one of the most common stressors can be your job.
Stress can build up and have negative physical and mental ramifications if not dealt with. It is important to note that stress can present differently for each person and effective coping mechanisms for stress are also different for everyone. However, we’ve outlined below 5 general ways that you can try to reduce and manage your stresses at work.
5 Tips for Managing and Reducing Stress at Work
Act Don’t React
Many stresses can come from being unprepared. Being suddenly bombarded with tasks you did not expect can cause you to feel overwhelmed and feel additional job stress. Where possible, try to set up your day in a way that will prevent unexpected occurrences from completely derailing your day and causing added stresses.
Sneak Away
If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed it can be helpful to step away from the problem/situation and take a moment for yourself. Taking a quick walk, getting fresh air, or doing deep breathing can help to give yourself a mental and physical break from the thing causing you stress. Some time away can help you come back to the problem with a fresh mind and attitude.
Change Your Perspective
The way that you interpret a situation will directly affect the stress that situation brings you. Instead of going into a situation thinking it will be difficult, try to identify the positive aspects of what you’re doing and take a step back to view the situation objectively, it can help you to make the situation less personal and instead shed light on how you can approach with a new perspective.
Get Out of Your Own Head
Many times the thing that causes us the most stress is ourselves! We overthink or worry about a task without giving ourselves a chance to succeed. Try to be self-aware in what stresses you bring to a situation and work on eliminating your self-doubt and building up your own self-confidence. This can help you become better prepared for any task and eliminate self-placed stresses.
Eat & Sleep Right
Improper eating and sleeping patterns can add additional stress. Not eating properly can make you irritable and irregular sleep patterns does not allow you to rejuvenate from the day before. Maintain your food and sleep intake to eliminate any added stresses that may come from these variable.
All tips were inspired by the following source:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jennagoudreau/2013/03/20/12-ways-to-eliminate-stress-at-work/#bbd3ba37f290