Workplace Stress

Workplace Stress

Staying healthy at work

Today’s work world is more stressful than ever. It requires longer hours and more commitment, and the hectic pace can wear on anyone. Work stress has become an epidemic, and there is more employee absenteeism due to stress and exhaustion than any other cause. So, how can you avoid getting overwhelmed?

Quick Relief

If you’re having a bad day, there are several things you can do right at work to reduce the amount of stress you feel:

  • Remove yourself from the situation. Take a quick walk, check your personal e-mail, have a chat in the lunchroom - anything to get your mind off of the immediate cause of stress.
  • Be quiet. Close the door, turn off anything that makes noise (including those horrible overhead lights), lean back in your chair and close your eyes. A couple of deep breaths will help, too. Allowing your body to relax will help your mind calm down.
  • Do something else. If it’s a specific project that’s driving you crazy, step away from it. Even if you have a tight deadline, you’ll be more productive if you take even half an hour to work on something a little less stressful.

Long Term Solutions

If your job causes you stress on a daily basis for long periods of time, you’ll find yourself affected in all areas of your life. You’ll be less happy, more tired, and generally distracted from the things that are important to you - including your work! Some long term stress relief techniques include:

  • Take your vacation time. Don’t feel like you need to be working all the time, regardless of your deadlines. Book off the vacation time you’re entitled to - and relax! You’ll come back refreshed and ready to hit the grindstone again.
  • Leave work at work. Develop a technique that allows you to leave behind your work issues when you come home. Perhaps write down all your work concerns on a piece of paper and leave it in your glove box - you’ll know they’re there, but you can promise yourself to return to them later.
  • Eat properly. Poor diet is a source of stress all on its own, and you can’t function efficiently at work if you’re not fuelling your body as it needs.
  • Get enough sleep. The amount of sleep required is different for everyone. To find out how much you need, simply fail to set the alarm one weekend. You’ll naturally sleep as long as you need, and you can get an idea of how many hours you should be shooting for during the week.