Feeling stressed at your work? Beating all those deadlines, meetings here and there, annoying workmates. All that could lead to stress in the workplace. Stress is a fact of life that every worker should accept. The AIS Workplace Stress Survey revealed that 80% of employees feel stress at work. The same survey said that 46% of employees say that workload is their primary source of stress and for 28% it’s their conflict with co-workers.
No matter how much you love your work, learning how to strike a balance between work and your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing is important. The good news is that most workplace stress is manageable in the short-term. However, if you don’t take steps in keeping your stress under control, it can lead to fatigue and burnout.
Stress in the workplace may eventually cause you to feel unhappy and eventually leave your current job for a less stressful one. Breaks.com provides 5 tips on how to achieve work-life balance.
1. Talk to your boss
Most employees accept extra work and additional responsibilities as a way of growing their skill set. Even then, you still need some transparency from your boss about expectations such as deadlines and the duration of projects. Make sure that both of you are aware of schedules and potential roadblocks that may come along the way.
Knowledge of this information will help put you in control of your workload and help you control the process. Being aware of expectations will help you make adjustments when things aren’t moving along or weather surprises with grace and ease.
2. Create a morning and bedtime routine
Start your day on the right foot. According to research, following a morning routine can help turn your day into a productive one. Doing so would help boost your mood throughout the day. Create a routine based on a daily morning practice. You can do some meditation or wake up half an hour earlier than usual. Stick to this morning routine as much as possible. By following a morning routine, everything will turn for the positive.
Do the same thing at the end of the day. Follow a bedtime routine. Go to bed at the same time in the evening. Choose a time for winding down and list down the things you will need to do the following morning. As much as possible, switch off your laptop or PC. Nighttime rituals signify that it’s time for bed. Make sure that you have a clear mind and calm nerves, which contributes to having a good night’s sleep.
3. Move Your Body
When the situation at your workplace starts to get crazy, try to move your body around. Exercise is a good practice for relieving stress. If you can’t squeeze exercise into your daily routine, think of smaller ways to get the blood flowing. If your workplace is just a short distance from home, walk wearing your stress-relieving shoes or ride a bike going to work. You can also spend 10 minutes stretching when you wake up. Physical activity is a proven technique for reducing stress and help you calm down during stressful situations.
4. Set Aside Quiet Time
When your company or clients is causing you to be stressed out, having some time for yourself can give some form of relief. Whether you reach out to a friend or decompress without electronic devices, designate a time to clear your head and boost your mood. This will help you think more clearly.
Come in early than your usual time-in and take advantage of an empty office. If you don’t have the opportunity to have some quiet time, put your headphones and jam to your favorite Spotify tunes. You can also spend your lunchtime away from your desk. Go to some quiet park or courtyard or eat out to destress.
5. Make Room For Creativity
Find some time to bring out your creative side. Draw a caricature of your colleague or of nature. Exploring your creative skills is a good way to keep yourself centered when it feels like work is taking over your life. Creativity is a good form of catharsis. You can channel stress, anger, resentment, or whatever negative emotions you have into a productive and healthy way.
When at home, find the time to jam to your favorite tunes in the shower, write blog posts, or send your mom a thoughtful card in the mail. No matter how hectic your schedule is in the office, try to find time for creative ventures. Yes, you have a lot of things to do at the office. But always find time to pause and take a break to stay productive.
When being a workaholic is starting to get the best of you, do your best to keep your perspective. Remind yourself that stress is only temporary. During times when you feel stressed in your workplace, you have plenty of resources at your disposal for coping with stress and getting your life back.
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