How to Cope with Stress at Work
While it is normal for there to be a certain level of stress in the workplace, it can sometimes become too much; not only affecting your productivity and desire to be at work, but also affecting your emotional and physical health. It is important to understand how to spot when you are suffering from stress at work, and learn how best to deal with it and get it under control.
Sign of Stress
Stress at work can affect different people in different ways, and it is important to recognise the signs. You could feel anxious, depressed or irritable, or may have trouble concentrating on your work. Fatigue and problems sleeping are also signs of stress, along with a loss of appetite, loss of sex drive and a desire to withdraw from social situations. You might also find that you lose interest in your work and are less productive, or that you suffer with headaches or muscle tension.
If any of the above apply to you, you could be suffering with stress. There are many reasons why people get stressed at work, such as the fear of being laid off, increased overtime and the pressure to consistently over-perform. If you are struggling with stress at work, however, there are plenty of little things that you can do to ease the problem and get back on track.
How to Combat Stress
The first thing that you can do is to make sure that you look after yourself, ensuring that both your physical and emotional health are in peak condition. Exercise lifts your mood, while eating small but regular meals will maintain your blood sugar levels, making you feel less lethargic or irritable. Nicotine, caffeine and alcohol can add to anxiety, so cut these back, and try to improve the quality of your sleep, ensuring at least eight hours a night.
If your workload is causing stress, think about organising and prioritising your tasks, and see whether you can delegate any of your workload to other colleagues. If you have a large project to do, break it into smaller steps to make it more manageable, and ensure that you have regular breaks throughout the day to clear your head.
Finally, try and break any bad habits and get into a more positive frame of mind. Set your clocks fast if you are always late, clear your desk of clutter, and try and think of positives in every situation. They may seem like small changes, but used together, they can help to control workplace stress levels.