Stress, especially work-related stress, can have a major impact on an individual’s mindset and well-being.
Over recent years, it has been reported that a demanding work schedule can cause sleepless nights, headaches, or even chronic health conditions, consequently affecting a person’s professional and personal development. It is for this reason that in support of Stress Awareness Month, we thought it would be a good idea to share with you our top five ways on how to deal with stress at work and how to conquer the feeling of being overwhelmed.
1. Get organised
It has been argued that sitting in a cluttered environment can make you feel stifled, consequently increasing your sense of anxiety. When feeling under pressure, it is incredibly easy to let your work pile up around you (literally!), so now is the time to clean up your desk and get rid of the clutter. The best way to do this is to keep it simple: allow only the basic essentials and your immediate tasks to have a place on your desk. The rest of it? Run through it. Do you really need it? Is it mostly doodles? If so, recycle or file it.
2. Prioritise
Often when people are stressed they attempt to take on every project at once, rather than plan and assign their time to specific tasks. First things first, create an agenda. Generating an online schedule will enable you to assign tasks to your colleagues, fix team briefings and collaboratively work together to reach targets. It’s also a good idea to be proactive at the start of your day: spend fifteen minutes every morning creating a ‘to do’ list, devising realistic goals of what you can accomplish, so that by the end of the day, you can satisfyingly strike them off.
3. Get out and exercise
Yes, you read that right. It is essential to schedule breaks from your office environment and rejuvenate throughout the day, not just after work or at the weekend. Exercise produces natural endorphins which have been proven to release tension, improve concentration, and generally relieve your feelings of anxiety. So whether it’s socialising with your colleagues, going to a yoga class, or even walking around your office building for twenty minutes or so, taking the time to get some fresh air and stretch your legs is definitely a good way to monitor your stress.
4. Sleep
It may seem obvious, but when people feel under pressure, their sleep pattern is often affected. The individual becomes so focused on their source of anxiety that unwillingly, sleep gets put on the back burner. However, depriving yourself from sleep can lead to serious health conditions, so it is essential to take a step back from your situation and relax. Turn off your mobile devices an hour before going to bed, limit your caffeine intake throughout the day, and more importantly, try to stick to a routine!
5. Embrace a positive outlook
This is probably the most important stress control tip of all. Stress cannot be entirely eliminated from your work environment, but having the ability to recognise that and adopt a more upbeat approach can dramatically change your day. Creating a positive atmosphere will not only benefit you, but also your colleagues who will often respond to your cheerful demeanour. Be proud of your achievements, grateful for your situation, and optimistic about what the future holds. Keeping this in mind will motivate you to work through those stressful patches and continue to grow.
