In a study conducted by the American Institute of Stress, 80% of the workers said that they had to deal with work stress. And out of those, around 40% felt like they needed help coping with all of that stress.
So if you happen to be someone who finds it hard to cope with the pressures of work, know that you’re not alone. There are a lot of ways you can make this easier on yourself, and we intend to address them.
Here are 8 super effective strategies for managing stress in the workplace.
1. Make Time for a Quick Workout
Yes, the rumors are true. Exercise is not only good for your physical health but helps keep your mental health in check as well. So schedule a time to squeeze in at least 15 minutes’ worth of exercise in your daily routine. You can incorporate a few stretches, some low impact cardio, or if you’re up to it even a HIIT routine.
All you need is a bit of movement to get those good hormones flowing and keep your energy levels high.
2. Prioritize Your Sleep
It is far too easy to skimp out on your sleep and pull an all-nighter for work that you just had to bring home. But do be mindful of making this a habit. If you catch yourself doing this too often, it’s time to take a breather and get your sleeping schedule back on track.
Sleep is absolutely essential for you to be able to function well throughout the day. Without at least 6-8 hours of good, rem sleep your brain is going to be less alert than it should be, so it’s actually counter-productive for you to put work before sleep.
3. A Stress-Free Hour
Sometimes you just need to stop and smell the roses.
If an hour a day is too much, at least try to do a half-hour a day or an hour every other day. Read a good book, meet a friend for some good coffee (or wine), take your dog out for a long walk in the park, immerse yourself in a hobby long neglected, or just let yourself exist.
Isolate yourself from work, screens and all things stressful. Allow yourself to just “be”.
4. Know Your Boundaries and Enforce Them Too
If you’re the kind of person who constantly works overtime or finds it hard to say no, it’s time to enforce some boundaries. Even if you love your work, you should never let it get in the way of your health. If you’ve got a boss that expects too much from you, let them know.
Now we know that that’s easier said than done. But if your boss is your source of stress, you should at least lookout for an alternative job. Of course, life isn’t always that simple, so in the event that you do just have to stick it out, be sure to take care of point number 5.
5. A Support System
The truth is you need this no matter what. That’s because even if you have the best job in the world, it’s always reassuring to have a good, strong, supportive safety net to make any little fall just a little less painful.
Make sure you make time for the people who care about you, check in with them, make time for them and let them help you when you need it. If you’ve got co-workers who you like and trust – confide in them. Even one nice co-worker can help you stay sane in an otherwise toxic work environment.
6. Take a Vacation
Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is just go off on a holiday. Soak in the sun, the sand and sea and let the wind carry your troubles away. If you can’t manage a nice, long vacation, at least try and fit in a weekend getaway, or just pamper yourself at home.
Just make sure you get some time off work to hit that good old refresh button until you feel like yourself again.
7. Get Therapy When You Need It
Burnout is a real thing. If you feel like you’re getting there, or that you already are, do seek help! The truth is we all push ourselves too far sometimes, and it is super important (and helpful) to make sure we get the treatment we deserve.
If you feel well and truly overwhelmed, anxious to the point of a breakdown or simply want someone to vent to, consider seeing a therapist. Even if you’re wary of medication, just a weekly session of talk therapy can be extremely beneficial. Perhaps a one-on-one conversation with someone telling you how to reduce stress will be just what you need.
8. Take a Few Short Breaks Throughout Your Day
Make sure you get quick breaks in between your work sessions. It’s easy to get caught up in all those piles of paperwork, and hey, we’re not telling you to stop. Just make sure you sneak in at least 10 minutes every hour or so to get a drink of water, take a quick walk or even do some calming ten-minute yoga.
Share Your Strategies for Managing Stress in the Workplace to Promote a Healthier Culture
If you work in an environment where everyone’s always working non-stop, perhaps you should consider sharing your wisdom with them. Take a picnic together, have an office party, relax a little. What better place to brainstorm strategies for managing stress in the workplace, than in the workplace?
There’s nothing like a team effort!
Like this article? Feel free to share it with your work friends on social media and get the conversation rolling!
