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May 16, 2018
Stress is an unavoidable occurrence for many working professionals. Most people encounter challenges and difficult situations that cause your heart rate to increase, your palms to sweat and your mind to spin. In moderation, stress is good—it sends you into a “fight or flight” mode, helping you rise to the occasion and sharpen your focus. But over time, too much stress can wear you out and has a negative impact on your mood, productivity and even your health.
Five ways to stress less at work
You can take steps to minimize your daily work stress and protect your health with the following techniques:
- Make a to-do list. If you arrive at work to an overflowing inbox or list of demands, you can clear your head and improve your focus with a daily to-do list. Start with a few tasks that must be done today and tackle those first. Other top priorities should include tasks that require the most concentration. Then, add tasks that could get done today but don’t have to, or those that require much less concentration. The end of your list can include tasks you don’t have to do today, but could if you have extra time. Remember to only list as many things as you can reasonably accomplish in one work day.
- Put things into perspective. When a situation stresses you out at work, ask yourself how much it affects the “big picture.” In other words, in a year from now, will you even remember it happened? Then, take a few deep breaths to regain composure.
- Live well. Taking good care of yourself is one of the best ways to combat stress. Eat well—with plenty of fresh produce, lean meats and fish, legumes, low-fat dairy and whole grains. Don’t skip meals. Stay well-hydrated and don’t rely on coffee to refuel. And try to get enough sleep each night—most people need 6-8 hours.
- Take breaks and vacation. Don’t skip your breaks. Instead, use them to eat, walk, stretch, get outside, or go out for lunch. Give your mind a chance to refresh itself so you can return to work more relaxed. The same goes for vacation—sometimes you need a chance to get away and reset, even if you only take time off for a “staycation” that doesn’t involve travel away from home.
- Talk to your manager if you need help. If you feel you have too many responsibilities to reasonably handle, talk to your manager. He or she will be able to help you shift your duties and get back up if you need it.
Is it time for a new job?
Sometimes, the job itself may be causing you undue stress. And if you find your efforts to reduce your stress aren’t working and it’s affecting your health, it may be time for a change.
Let Inter-Connect help
We place qualified candidates with office/clerical, industrial, technical and professional/managerial experience. Our goal is to help you find a job that matches well with your qualifications and help you build your work experience. To learn more, contact us today to speak with one of our experienced recruiters.