Stress at Work
Nearly half of all American workers claim to experience significant stress while at work. It's a common problem that carries heavy consequences. Most people know that high levels of stress can cause them to burn out. Fewer people are aware that stress also opens the body up for sickness and can contribute to serious long-term health concerns.
Here are some helpful ways to combat on-the-job stress:
Eat and drink for your health.
A balanced diet that includes breakfast and plenty of fluids can help your body defend against the negative side effects that stress brings. When at work, you can help this fight by choosing to drink water instead of sugary sodas or caffeine-heavy coffee. Also, avoid drinking alcohol excessively and using nicotine. While these substances may lower anxiety temporarily, they can eventually cause more stress and later addiction.
Exercise several times a week.
Although it may be difficult to find the free time to exercise, simply walking for a half hour during lunch can help. It can boost your immune system, fight anxiety and improve your self-image. Leading to greater confidence and calmness.
Identify and set real goals for yourself.
Our bodies are machines that crave structure and routine. With this in mind, make sure that your self-imposed deadlines and expectations are realistic. Be familiar with the specifics of your assignments and of what's expected from you. You may need to talk with supervisor to receive more structure if this is a problem.
Be organized.
Save yourself the stress of searching for missing items or of grabbing a misplaced item on the go. Taking small steps to ensure that you stay organized can pay off huge benefits. As your body adjusts to the routine, your organizational skills will become second nature.
Tone down the multitasking.
Though our bodies make us physically capable of taking on many tasks at once, studies have shown a drop in quality when too many tasks are taken on at once. Instead of trying to talk on a phone while typing a report, consider a new strategy that allows you to address each task individually and with a high level of accuracy. That way the task won't keep coming up again and again.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Check any extreme sense of perfectionism at the door. Do your best on your projects, but realize that your best is all that anyone can ask of you. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time. Learning to accept that can be difficult. But it can also help you avoid undue stress if normal operational mistakes occur.
When stress rears its ugly head, it's important to remember that everyone experiences stress from time to time. By planning for it and learning to cope with stress, you can stay focused on your larger goals more easily.
