How to Manage Workplace Stress
Workplace Stress
Workplace stress can be a silent killer that significantly affects your overall health and well-being. Let’s take a look at some tips on how to manage workplace stress.
Workplace Stress|Get Organized to Manage
Workplace stress gets the best of us when we are not ready for it. So get prepared by being organized. Have your desk clean and free from distractions: file or trash unnecessary papers or clutter on your desk. Make sure you have a well-organized place to work with all the supplies at your fingertips.
- Computer and phone charged.
- Supplies available and on hand
- pen and notepad ready for note taking
- the printer turned on and in good working order
- files organized (hard copy and digital files)
- calendars, calculators, and notebooks at the ready
- phone within reach so you can access the computer during calls
Having a clean, organized workplace will help reduce workplace stress because you are in control and prepared for whatever comes up.
Control Your Calendar
A big part of workplace stress happens with fire drills and other people’s emergencies. You can avoid a lot of stress by knowing what you have to do and having it on your calendar. A good calendar will let you know what you have to do and remind you of what you can do later. It would be best if you prioritized your calendar entries to keep you on track. You will no doubt have things come up, and you will have to be flexible with your schedule. However, you need to set good guard rails with your time, and a well-planned calendar can keep you on track.
Always remember to schedule time for follow-ups and administrative tasks. If you are smart, you will even schedule downtime to rest and take a break!
Have a To-Do List
Based on your calendar and appointments, you should take it a step further by writing out a daily to-do list. Your calendar has the planned meetings, appointments, phone calls, and commitments. Your to-do list fills in the gaps with what you want to accomplish.
For example, a meeting might be on the calendar, and calling a client on the way to the meeting might be on the to-do list because it can fit in.
Take the time to write out the list so you can see it and because writing things down helps you remember them throughout the day.
Take a Walk Outside
There is something about leaving your desk and getting outside that helps manage stress. Eat your lunch outdoors, take a walk and make a phone call or walk with a colleague and talk.
Workplace stress is manageable by making intentional decisions to handle it. When something upsets you, take a break! Thinking about a change is vital to managing stress.
Exercise and Eat Nutritious Food.
Along the lines of getting outside, there is great benefit in exercising and eating nutritious food to relieve and manage stress. You feel better after a jog or weight lifting session. Stress melts away, and you gain a new perspective when you exercise.
In the same way, eating healthy food helps with stress. The natural tendency when we are stressed is to grab something sugary, salty, or to drink alcohol. The “comfort food” might make you feel better for a moment, but eating nutritious food is much better and will help you throughout the entire day.
Read or Listen to Music
Taking a break throughout your workday is important. I am not talking about wasting time or abusing the privilege; I am talking about taking a needed break to relax. Read for pleasure or listen to your favorite music for a few minutes. Breaks will help you refocus on the problems when you get back to work.
Seek Counsel and Take Action
When something stressful happens, ask for help! Go to your boss or an associate who can listen and recommend solutions. Sometimes you know the answer; you need someone to listen and illuminate what you already know.
The bigger the problem, the more people you should rely on to help. Doing things alone can cause a lot of unnecessary workplace stress that you can easily avoid.
When you know what to do, take immediate action and get it done. The stress never ultimately leaves until you handle the problem.
Sleep on Big Decisions
You may experience stress about a decision you need to make, and frequently a good night’s sleep will help. I cannot tell you how many times I have had pressure, and after sleeping on it, I wake up knowing what to do.
If you can delegate, then do it! You should not be solving problems on your own, and you should not be doing everything on your own. Depending on your situation, you need to utilize the company resources you have to manage workplace stress and challenges.
Have a Clear Focus on What is Important
If you are working your tail off and never getting to the important stuff, you need to STOP, prioritize and start over. Do the essential things first. If you learn to get good at prioritizing and eliminating busy work, you will have less stress in your life. Workplace stress is sometimes self-inflicted.
- What do you want? (vision)
- What is significant about it? (values)
- How do I get it? (methods)
- What is preventing me from having it? (obstacles)
- How will I know I am successful? (measurements)
I read this in a Tony Robbins book, and it makes sense. Figure this out, and workplace stress will be easier to manage.
Don’t Work for a Stressful Person.
Sometimes you can do everything possible to manage stress, and sometimes the boss will make sure it never goes away. When someone finds joy in making your life stressful, it is time to work for someone else.
There are stressful environments where no tactics will work because the leadership does not care about your well-being and never will.
The good news is that some leaders and companies make it possible to achieve great things and manage stress. I am fortunate to work with great people who relieve stress because they are not intentionally creating it!
Don’t Think You Deserve Stress-Free.
Managing workplace stress has nothing to do with trying to eliminate it. After all, you solve problems and produce a product or service. Solving problems comes with emphasis, and it should. Nothing worthwhile is easy, and the pressure is part of the motivation given the proper perspective.
Please don’t run from or eliminate stress. Conquer it by managing it with hard work and dedication to achieve the desired results for you and your company.
If resistance builds strength for bodybuilders, then stress builds personal strength for those who manage it well.
related post: How to Boost Your Productivity
To Your Success.
