Stress Management in the Workplace

For a lot of people, their job is a major source of stress and anxiety in their lives. Jobs can put a lot of pressure on you, whether you're struggling to meet project deadlines, dealing with a difficult boss, finding yourself bored on the job, or wrestling with the challenges of supporting yourself on a low salary. And this stress can hurt many parts of your life: In fact, it can even damage your health. Over time, work-related stress can cause issues like headaches, difficulty sleeping, and trouble concentrating. It can also raise your blood pressure, weaken your immune system, and lead to issues like obesity, heart disease, and depression. High stress levels can also cause you adopt unhealthy habits like overeating, drinking alcohol, or smoking.

So what can you do about work-related stress? Here are a few ideas:

• Take Time for Yourself: Carve out time for relaxation, even if you have to schedule it on your calendar. Use this time to do things you enjoy, like watch a movie, read a book, or go for a walk. It's also important to make sure that you have enough time for an adequate amount of sleep every night; being tired can make stress levels worse.
• Draw the Line Between Work and Home: Don't let yourself become a 24/7 employee. Set some rules for when you'll disconnect from work, and stick to them. This could mean not checking your email after 6 p.m., setting your phone aside during dinner, or leaving your laptop at home when you go on vacation. Find boundaries that work for you and allow you to have some off-the-clock time.
• Practice Mindfulness: Try some deep-breathing exercises when you find yourself getting stressed, or meditate on your lunch break. Taking a few minutes to clear your mind and refocus yourself can help you lower your stress levels.
• Talk to Your Boss: It's not always easy to do, but if you talk to your boss about the problem, they may be able to help you find solutions. For instance, if you're overworked, they might be able to reallocate some of your workload to someone else or offer advice on how you can get the work done more efficiently. If deadlines seem impossible, perhaps your boss can push them back a bit if you explain the situation. And if you're stressed out because your job is boring, your boss might be able to find you some new challenges. Of course, if a conflict with your boss is causing your stress, you might need to take your concerns to the human resources director instead.
• Talk to Your Support System: Talk things out with family or trusted friends to get ideas for how to handle your stress or just to vent. If your work-related stress is causing serious negative effects on your life, you might also want to consider getting counseling from a professional.