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Hi, Ken Lear here.
Employees can feel stressed out at work for a number of reasons. Whether tension between coworkers, too many projects, or worrying about job performance, there are ways to cope with it.
Modern workers are distracted on average 2.1 hours per day, and are interrupted approximately seven times an hour. This only adds to the workload, making it take longer to get a simple task done. Here are a few tips to streamline the workday and get rid of stress so you still have energy left over at the end of the day.
Take Care of Yourself
Taking care of yourself – mentally and physically – is the first step to lowering stress at work. Of course you are going to feel more stressed at work if you are going on 5 hours of sleep every night – a tired brain doesn’t work as well as a well rested one. Outside of work, remember to set aside time to engage in activities that are relaxing, such as walks, yoga, or reading a book.
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Act Instead of Reacting
Sharon Melnick, Ph.D., a business psychologist and author of just released Success Under Stress explains, “We experience stress when we feel that situations are out of our control. It activates the stress hormone and, if chronic, wears down confidence, concentration and well-being… Be impeccable for your 50%, and try to let go of the rest,” she advises.
Pinpoint Where the Stress Is Coming From
Are you stressed out because there is too much on your plate? Do you have a conflict with a co-worker? Or is it a number of things? Sit down and brainstorm why you feel stressed and see what you can do to fix it. A simple chat with your manager may be key – maybe they don’t know you have too much on your plate right now. If a conflict with a co-worker is what’s stressing you out, set up a meeting to hash things out so you both feel better at work.
Take Breaks
Sometimes people feel on busy days they need to work right through lunch, which is necessary sometimes, but not every day. Not giving your brain a break throughout the day can cause more stress. Yes, you may not be able to take off as early if you take a short lunch, but your day will be better overall.
Remember Why You Love Your Job
Why did you choose to work for this company or in this field? What about it do you love? If you can’t answer that question – it may be time to sit down and really think about the work you do each day and why it’s important. Remind yourself why you love your job on days when you are feeling overwhelmed.
