Perhaps you’ve read this far and thought that it was all well and good, but what to do about the stress that comes from work? Most of us spend most of our time at work with people who we wouldn’t ordinarily choose to be with, doing a job we wouldn’t do unless we were paid to. A corporate environment can be full of conflict, expectations, disappointments and miscommunication – and yet few of us can afford to just leave when stress gets too intense.
The reality is that any job, no matter what it is, will come with its fair share of stress. This happens most often when we are held accountable for things that we actually have no control over or when we just have too much to do in too little time.
What is a normal level of stress at work? If you are able to “unplug” at the end of the day, this is a good sign. Getting home and turning your mind to your family, or relaxing with hobbies without stewing over what happened at work earlier means you keep work where it belongs. If you dream about work, dread going in because of the chaos and pressure there, often feel like faking sickness to avoid duties, constantly feel in over your head or have irritable altercations with colleagues, stress has gone past being useful and into the territory of hindering your performance.
Here are some ways you can gain control of the stress in your workplace:
· Delegate. There is no shame in realistically putting limits on what you can and can’t do. Focus on what’s very important and recognize what simply cannot be taken on. Let it go.
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· Consider taking a holiday. If work is hectic, push for even a Friday off or something similar. The important thing is to actually take the holiday – don’t spend a minute thinking about work.
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· Make sure you take care of yourself at work – keep a water bottle handy and makes sure you take a proper lunch break where you can eat a real meal without rushing.
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· If you are in the kind of environment where it’s impossible to even go to the bathroom without missing something, consider quite seriously whether it’s a place you want to work in.
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· Speak to your superiors and explain that you feel a bit burnt out. If they understand that you will be more efficient if you’re well rested, you could negotiate for temporarily lighter duties or a short break.
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· Don’t rush. Get used to asking people to wait and try not to rush through projects, as this often just creates more problems and stress later on. “Under promise and over deliver” is still very good advice.
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· Remember to practice regular breathing and time out sessions while at work. Wear good shoes and try to make your workspace comfortable with the right kind of chair, adequate lighting etc.
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· Some workplaces have facilities available to employees who need help with managing their workload. If not, seek out a counselor or therapists to help you figure out ways to be calmer and more collected – or even if you need to consider a new job or line of work.