TAC FEATURES
Stress in the workplace frequently is a two-way pressure that comes from a combination of both internal and external stresses. External stressors include loud or continuous noise co-workers, demanding bosses, and complaining customers. Internal stress is feelings of dissatisfaction, irritability, inability, and the feeling that your efforts aren’t properly rewarded or recognized. Stress of any kind results in decreased job satisfaction, reduced production, and increased conflicts, which all lead to –more stress. As an employee, there are several steps you can take to preserve your health by reducing workplace stress.
- Try to leave earlier in the morning. Even 10-15 minutes can make the difference between frantically rushing to your desk and having time to ease into your day. Don’t add to your stress levels by running late.
- Flip your negative thoughts. Try to think positively about your work, avoid negative-thinking co-workers, and pat yourself on the back about small accomplishments, even if no one else does.
- Take your allotted breaks. Remember: the opposite of stress is relaxation. Don’t work through lunch or coffee breaks. This also means don’t think or talk about work during your breaks.
- Instead of coffee, drink water, juice, or electrolyte infused drinks. Dehydration often is the cause of fatigue. Coffee and soft drinks that contain caffeine may seem to “keep you going”, but in reality they add to stress and don’t keep your body hydrated.
- Develop the capacity to meet challenges with humor. There is no better stress buster than a hearty laugh and nothing reduces stress quicker in the workplace than mutually shared humor. But, if the laugh is at someone else’s expense, you may end up with more rather than less stress.
- Don’t try to control the uncontrollable. Many things at work are beyond our control—particularly the behavior of other people. Rather than stressing out over them, focus on the things you can control such as the way you choose to react to problems.
- Get enough sleep. When you’re well-rested, it’s much easier to keep your emotional balance, a key factor in coping with job and workplace stress. Try to improve the quality of your sleep by keeping a sleep schedule and aiming for 8 hours a night
- Regular exercise is a powerful stress reliever Aerobic exercise—activity that raises your heart rate and makes you sweat—is a hugely effective way to lift your mood, increase energy, sharpen focus, and relax both the mind and body.
- Make food choices that keep you going. Low blood sugar can make you feel anxious and irritable, while eating too much can make you lethargic. Healthy eating can help you get through stressful work days. By eating small but frequent meals, you can help your body maintain an even level of blood sugar, keep your energy up, stay focused, and avoid mood swings.
Just as you plan your work, plan your time away from work. At day’s end, leave work behind you and focus on your plans for the evening. Work to live. Relaxation away from work means less stress… and a better life.
