In the ever challenging chase for success in business, stress has unfortunately become an increasing fact of life in the workplace. It is important that you understand and recognize your stress levels at work and the possible negative results of not dealing with it appropriately.
Workplace stress is a reality most of us have to face. If we are to succeed in our careers, we have little choice but to learn to copies with it. Managing workplace stress does not require you to make big changes in every aspect of your work life. Rather, it requires focus on what you can always control: yourself. Here are seven stress reducing tips you can apply to your own life at the workplace.
1. Try a Different Perspective. Seeing a stressful problem or situation from a different perspective can often help you relieve stress and regain composure. Sometimes, we tend to force ourselves to seek solutions by looking at issues from only one perspective. However, jf you can convince yourself to get out of your zone and look at things from a different angle, you might see things as your co-workers do, and that can lead to reduced stress. In other words, looking at something through someone else’s eyes not only can lessen your tensions but can also lead to a better solution.
2. Delegate. If being overloaded with work is a continuing stress factor, you should consider delegating some of your work. Think carefully about what you are required to do and identify those tasks that could be competently done by others. If necessary, discuss the issue with your boss and explain the need for more assistance with some tasks. Some people tend to feel the need do all the work themselves and find themselves with a the pile of work that is not possible to finish in regular working hours. They leave themselves with no option but to stay late or work on weekends, which creates more stress. Delegating work may help relieve some of that stress. If this sounds like you, start by seeking the help of someone, a neutral third party who can be objective about what tasks others can do for you, to help you review your tasks to determine what can be done at a lower level. A side benefit of delegating is that your co-workers often feel as if their jobs have been enhanced by the work you are trusting them to do for you.
3. Make Time for Your Loved Ones. Creating a balance between work and your home life is also important. When you become too engrossed in work, you can begin excluding people who love you without your realizing it. Certainly you want to work hard in order to provide for your family. However, your children are not able to understand the distinction between your choosing to spend time away from them and the need to provide income. A disproportionate focus on work can destabilize the strongest of relationships. Require yourself to spend quality time with your loved ones. Make it a rule to have dinner with your family. It will let you to enjoy some time in a relaxed manner, another essential to reducing stress. No one has ever come to the end of their life wishing they had spent more time at the office!
4. Exercise Vigorously and Frequently. Aerobic exercise is an effective way to lift your mood, boost your energy level, sharpen your focus, and relax your mind as well as your body. A good half hour of heart-pounding activity on most days will enable you get optimum stress relief. If you are unable to set aside at least thirty minutes for an exercise session, try breaking up the activity into shorter segments, but the sum total of those segments has to be more than just thirty minutes.
5. Eat in Moderation. Your food intake has a definite role to play in your stress levels. Irregular food habits can make you feel anxious, while overeating can make you lethargic. Eat nutritious meals in smaller portions, several times a day, at regular intervals. It will help your body maintain an even level of blood sugar and avoid mood swings.
6. Moderate Drinking and Don’t Smoke. Drinking alcohol in moderation, avoiding nicotine, and getting the proper sleep are other essentials to keep stress under control. Consuming excessive alcohol or nicotine might give a false sense of relief, but may lead to higher level of anxiety when their effects wear off.
7. MEDITATE. Meditation can also be very helpful in workplace stress management. Meditation has been shown to effectively counteract the effect of stress. People who meditate regularly use oxygen more efficiently. Their adrenal glands produce less cortisol and their mind ages at a slower rate, reducing stress and helping them focus better on their work.