We all know what pressure is like at work with meetings and deadlines. However, workers develop stress when they can no longer cope with the pressures placed upon them.
Here we look at 10 tips for reducing stress at work:
1: Learn to manage your time more effectively
We waste a lot of time doing unimportant tasks so prioritize your day and do the important jobs first.
The unimportant ones can wait, and often they will disappear completely leaving you time to do other things.
Also do not put off the unpleasant tasks. Every time we think about them we cause ourselves stress. Give an unpleasant task a high priority and do it first.
2: Adopt a healthy lifestyle
If we eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and ensure we get adequate rest our body is better able to cope with stress should it occur.
3: Know your limitations and do not take on too much
We cause ourselves a great deal of stress because we like people to like us and do not want to let people down.
We then end up doing more than we should. Learn to be assertive and how to say no without upsetting or offending people.
4: Find out what causes you stress
Take time to discover what is worrying you and try to change your behavior to reduce it.
5: Avoid unnecessary conflict
Don’t be too argumentative. Is it really worth the stress? Look for win – win situations.
Look for a solution to a dispute where both parties can achieve a positive outcome.
6: Accept the things you cannot change
Changing a difficult situation is not always possible. If this proves to be the case recognize and accept things as they are.
7: Take time out to relax and recharge your batteries
You will perform much better after a break and easily make up the time you used relaxing.
8: Find time to meet friends.
Friends help us see things in a different way. The activities we engage in with friends usually help us relax and we will often have a good laugh.
It boosts the immune system which is often depleted during stress.
If you do become stressed engage in some form of physical activity. It works off the biochemical and physical changes that occur within your body due to stress.
Relaxation helps your body return to its normal healthy state. Good relaxation techniques include breathing exercises, massage and a variety of complimentary therapies.
9: Try to see things differently
If something is bothering you try to see it differently. Talk over your problem with somebody before it gets out of proportion.
Often, talking to somebody else will help you see things from a different and less stressful perspective.
10: Avoid alcohol, nicotine and caffeine as coping mechanisms.
Long term, these faulty coping mechanisms will just add to the problem.