Managing Stress In The Workplace
Stress and life go hand in hand and no matter how good you are, at some point you will feel stress of work, for some this can be a momentary thing but for others it can cause real problems, every profession has its own stress factors, here is how to help manage a few of them
General tips
How to recognise warning signs
· Eating to much or not eating enough
· Insomnia
· Not being able to relax
· Being moody, agitated or restless
· Always worrying
· Not being able to concentrate
· Feeling overwhelmed
How to take care of yourself
· Exercise daily
· Eat lots of nutritious foods
· Stay away from coping mechanisms ie alcohol, nicotine or caffeine
· Get a full night sleep
· Organize and priorities your tasks
· Learn to laugh
Customer service jobs
People who deal with customers face to face on a daily bases can take its toll on employees’ wellbeing as the constant interaction may become draining over time. Mixing this with the exhaustion of other job responsibilities creates a perfect storm for stress. Here are a few ways to cope at the end of the day…..
Take a breath - when you finish work do something each day to help your mind and body associate this task with you finishing work, this will help you switch off, this could be as simple as listening to your favourite music on the way home, going to the gym, visiting a friend.
Relax - Schedule into every night your time to relax before you go to bed, this could be have a soak in the bath, reading, social media, whatever makes you relax and mentally switch off.
Challenge Yourself - Set goals outside of work for yourself that you think may be fun and less stressful for instance learning a new instrument, or a new language. Continual learning empowers you with knowledge and becomes more active than other areas of life.
Exercise - Exercise is a great way to relieve stress, it helps you clear your head and sometimes helps you find a solution to whatever is causing your anxiety.
Volenteer - “The more you give, the more resilient and happy you feel”
It doesn’t have to be time consuming or a big gesture, start small. Do a favor for some each day.
Health care jobs
Jobs that are devoted to to improving the wellbeing of others can be stress-inducing. This type of job requires great problem solving, time management skills and a great deal of sensitivity to others. How can you eliminate the stress in the field of healthcare without sacrificing the quality of your work?
Take a Breath & Relax (as above)
Prioritise, don’t compromise - Prioritise your time at each day. Tackle the most important things first. If you cannot finish everything during your shift avoid staying late everyday. Consistent overtime only aggravates your stress and in the long run makes you less productive.
Be positive - Make a habit of of bringing to mind the things you are grateful for. If it helps write them down, have pictures to hand to help you remember and put things in perspective when you are stressed and your workload feels impossible.
Do things you enjoy - By adding some YOU time at the end of each day helps you to rest and recharge ready for the next day. Make a point to do the activities you love on certain days of the week. This helps you avoid working overtime on those days and gives you a ‘break’.
High Stress Jobs
Some jobs have such a high demand on your personal time that they become your life. The pressure and unpredictability of these jobs make it difficult to find time to relax and be you. So how can you reduce stress in high stress job?
Take a Breath & Relax (as above)
Take control - If you think ‘I cant do this’ then you won’t be able to do it. If you think positively and take charge of the situation it contributes to your overall wellbeing.
Accept what you cant change - On the other hand, when something happens that you have no control over, do not get frustrated and worried. Instead, recognise you can’t change the situation and focus your attention on areas where you can have an influence.
Connect with people - Sharing burdens with a loved one or someone close to you is a great way to take the weight off your shoulders. After a hard day unwind by talking to a friend or family member, they may be able to give you some good advice on how to cope.
Working Alone
Many people work hard on their own, separate from other coworkers. So what is the best way to cope in stressful situations by yourself?
Take a Breath & Relax (as above)
Socialise - Whether it is with a coworker, friend or family socializing with others helps to eliminate stress. Getting someone else’s opinion and view on a stressful situation can help you tackle the matter in hand. Also, focusing on others helps you take your mind off your own problems.
Avoid unhealthy habits - If you are extremely stressed, substances like caffeine, alcohol and nicotine may help in the short term, however over a period of time they create problems of their own. Seek help from friends and loved ones instead.
Be optimistic - Don’t focus all of your attention on the negative things. If certain situations or circumstances regularly trigger your anxiety try and change your perspective of them and be more optimistic.
If you don't suffer from stress in the work place but have a college who does then maybe use some of this info to help them deal with the strain
General tips
How to recognise warning signs
· Eating to much or not eating enough
· Insomnia
· Not being able to relax
· Being moody, agitated or restless
· Always worrying
· Not being able to concentrate
· Feeling overwhelmed
How to take care of yourself
· Exercise daily
· Eat lots of nutritious foods
· Stay away from coping mechanisms ie alcohol, nicotine or caffeine
· Get a full night sleep
· Organize and priorities your tasks
· Learn to laugh
Customer service jobs
People who deal with customers face to face on a daily bases can take its toll on employees’ wellbeing as the constant interaction may become draining over time. Mixing this with the exhaustion of other job responsibilities creates a perfect storm for stress. Here are a few ways to cope at the end of the day…..
Take a breath - when you finish work do something each day to help your mind and body associate this task with you finishing work, this will help you switch off, this could be as simple as listening to your favourite music on the way home, going to the gym, visiting a friend.
Relax - Schedule into every night your time to relax before you go to bed, this could be have a soak in the bath, reading, social media, whatever makes you relax and mentally switch off.
Challenge Yourself - Set goals outside of work for yourself that you think may be fun and less stressful for instance learning a new instrument, or a new language. Continual learning empowers you with knowledge and becomes more active than other areas of life.
Exercise - Exercise is a great way to relieve stress, it helps you clear your head and sometimes helps you find a solution to whatever is causing your anxiety.
Volenteer - “The more you give, the more resilient and happy you feel”
It doesn’t have to be time consuming or a big gesture, start small. Do a favor for some each day.
Health care jobs
Jobs that are devoted to to improving the wellbeing of others can be stress-inducing. This type of job requires great problem solving, time management skills and a great deal of sensitivity to others. How can you eliminate the stress in the field of healthcare without sacrificing the quality of your work?
Take a Breath & Relax (as above)
Prioritise, don’t compromise - Prioritise your time at each day. Tackle the most important things first. If you cannot finish everything during your shift avoid staying late everyday. Consistent overtime only aggravates your stress and in the long run makes you less productive.
Be positive - Make a habit of of bringing to mind the things you are grateful for. If it helps write them down, have pictures to hand to help you remember and put things in perspective when you are stressed and your workload feels impossible.
Do things you enjoy - By adding some YOU time at the end of each day helps you to rest and recharge ready for the next day. Make a point to do the activities you love on certain days of the week. This helps you avoid working overtime on those days and gives you a ‘break’.
High Stress Jobs
Some jobs have such a high demand on your personal time that they become your life. The pressure and unpredictability of these jobs make it difficult to find time to relax and be you. So how can you reduce stress in high stress job?
Take a Breath & Relax (as above)
Take control - If you think ‘I cant do this’ then you won’t be able to do it. If you think positively and take charge of the situation it contributes to your overall wellbeing.
Accept what you cant change - On the other hand, when something happens that you have no control over, do not get frustrated and worried. Instead, recognise you can’t change the situation and focus your attention on areas where you can have an influence.
Connect with people - Sharing burdens with a loved one or someone close to you is a great way to take the weight off your shoulders. After a hard day unwind by talking to a friend or family member, they may be able to give you some good advice on how to cope.
Working Alone
Many people work hard on their own, separate from other coworkers. So what is the best way to cope in stressful situations by yourself?
Take a Breath & Relax (as above)
Socialise - Whether it is with a coworker, friend or family socializing with others helps to eliminate stress. Getting someone else’s opinion and view on a stressful situation can help you tackle the matter in hand. Also, focusing on others helps you take your mind off your own problems.
Avoid unhealthy habits - If you are extremely stressed, substances like caffeine, alcohol and nicotine may help in the short term, however over a period of time they create problems of their own. Seek help from friends and loved ones instead.
Be optimistic - Don’t focus all of your attention on the negative things. If certain situations or circumstances regularly trigger your anxiety try and change your perspective of them and be more optimistic.
If you don't suffer from stress in the work place but have a college who does then maybe use some of this info to help them deal with the strain
