Author: Annie Zygmunt
A Guide to Overcome Stress & Workplace Struggles
Introduction:
We all have days where we feel more stressed because of something that’s going on at work. Sometimes we get overloaded with the work we should be doing, causing a lot of stress both at work and at home. There are a few things that could be done to relieve some pressure that may be worth thinking about.
The guided article below may help you figure it out.
Are you enjoying what you do?
Sometimes we take a job because that’s all we could get, and we really need the money. So, what usually happens is we take the first job we’re offered; sometimes without even thinking it through. Then, a few weeks or months later, we begin questioning our choices. Did I think this through? Is this what I wanted? Am I paid enough for what I do? Would I be happy doing this for the rest of my life? Do I feel more stress than I should while working? Can I overcome said stress?
Answer ‘no’ to any of the above? Chances are you’re unhappy with what you do, and this is just the guide for you.
If that’s the case, it may be a good idea to re-think this. You’ll probably pull through and stay where you are for the rest of your life, but if you think even just for a second that you can’t imagine doing what you’re doing for the rest of your life, it may be time for a change.
Take some time out:
Now, if you know that you enjoy what you do, and you know that’s what you want to do for as long as possible, but you’re still worried or stressed – take a break.
That doesn’t mean drop off the face of the earth completely! But step away from your desk for a moment. Make a cup of tea or coffee. Go for a brisk walk around the block. Grab a snack. Have a short conversation with someone. If you have some holiday time available, take that if you need it. Pull yourself away from the situation that is having a negative impact on you in that moment.
Breathe in for five seconds.
Hold it for two.
Breathe out in five.
Repeat as many times as you need.
Then when you’re ready, go back to working.
Speak to somebody:
Bottling up our emotions never ends well. One problem becomes two, those soon become three, and they all pile up one after another.
When we hold something in for too long, we tend to be more likely to explode. Take a bottle of Coke for example – shaking it too much will eventually make it explode once opened. Had that bottle been opened earlier, there would be no explosion. Or it would be smaller.
Keeping everything to yourself eats at you from the inside, and things can get overwhelming fast. Speaking to someone about your problems may help you relieve some of the tension. A partner, friend, family member, another co-worker, or even a specialist. They could perhaps offer an outside perspective, and potentially even offer a support system not only through offering solutions, but also by helping you wind down after work.
A problem shared is a problem halved.
Separate your home life from your work life:
Sometimes having a stressful day at work may lead to problems at home. Once you’re away from work, try focusing on something else instead. Keep the work and home life separate.
Read a book, go to the gym, go out for lunch with friends, or even stay in with takeout and watch a movie.
Worrying about work while you’re at home will do you no good. Save that for work time. Use your home time for relaxing after a long day at work. Afterall, if you don’t get rest at home, you’ll be restless at work and may not work as efficiently as you can.
Conclusion:
As you see, there are plenty of things that can be done to both prevent as well as soothe any work-related stress. From the beginning of the journey, when you choose where to work, all the way to your home life after work – you should do your best to keep yourself as stress-free as possible to avoid any health issues that may arise. There are also plenty of other things you can do, that can be found on the internet. This Spirituality & Health article lists 23 such examples.
if you haven’t already, give our previous blogs a read; Time Management, and Health is Wealth.