Being stressed at work is not a new phenomenon. After all, work, by its very nature, causes at least some stress in terms of causing a lack of free time, a reduction of rest, and sometimes a less than tranquil environment. However, learning to deal with the stresses of the workplace will go a long way towards establishing a sound mental health while increasing your productivity while at work.
Work-related stress can cause numerous side effects such as anxiety, apathy, fatigue, lack of concentration, muscle tension, stomach problems, and social withdrawal.
Before you can learn to deal with the stresses that originate at work, you first have to find out what actually causes the stress. To do this, monitor yourself during certain situations at work that cause you to have negative physical, mental, or emotional responses. Write the results down and after a week or two you will have a good indication of why you felt the way you felt at a certain time. You may even be surprised at the activities or situations that caused the negative reactions.
After you have found the causes of your work-related stress, it is time to learn to find a way to deal with it.
Creating a balanced schedule that finds a healthy balance between work, family life, social activities and daily responsibilities will help increase your time management. Looking at alternatives such as making a calendar to prevent procrastination or learning to not put as much pressure on yourself can go a long way towards reliving stressful work situations.
Learning not to take on too much at work will help alleviate any self-imposed deadlines that you inadvertently placed upon yourself. Let go of that tasks that are not truly necessary and focus on the most important.
Regular exercise is another way to relieve stress since an elevated heart rate helps to increase energy, sharpen focus, and relax both the mind and body.
Not being afraid to ask for help is a huge way to alleviate stress. If you are worried about seeming inferior or incompetent by asking a question – don’t. Employers and co-workers will be far more glad than not that you went the efficient route in asking how to do something rather than taking an exorbitant amount of time to find the proper procedure while running the risk of doing a task incorrectly.
Another way to relieve workplace stress is to understand that you are not perfect. Yes, it is hard to believe, but you are actually human. Trying to attain perfection will add stress that is just not necessary. No one expects you to meet unrealistic expectations, so don’t put those expectations on yourself.
Finally, don’t worry about what you cannot control – there is no point. Worrying about if you are going to get that promotion or project will only lessen your ability to continue to do well on other tasks and will have no bearing on the actual outcome. Relax, do all that you can, within your capability, and good things will happen. Don’t stress it.