In this world, it's hard to imagine a life without stress. With a global pandemic like COVID-19, we can all say we’ve felt the impact of anxiety. Many of us agree that stress has become so commonplace we don’t even realize we’re feeling it.
The tasks can pile up—from managing day-to-day responsibilities at home, caring for family, and doing our best to live purposeful lives. Add to that our workload and work stress.
Managing the tension between our professional and personal lives can be tough when we're new to remote work. This article will help give you some guidelines on how to recognize stress and manage it.
Workplace Stress Can Come from Various Sources
It can have both positive and negative effects. To better manage stress, it's important to understand what stress is, how it affects us, and what we can do to reduce its impact.
Stress Can Manifest Itself in Many Ways in the Workplace
For example, you may feel anxious or nauseous on Monday mornings or find yourself tearing up or getting angry more quickly than usual. If you're constantly feeling overwhelmed, irritable, or sick, it could be a sign that you're stressed at work.
Stress Can Be a Good Thing, Especially at Work
It can be a motivator. Think about a time when you felt stressed about a deadline at work. Now think about when you were about to give a well-prepared speech. The common thread is stress.
Now, there are two types of stress: good stress and bad stress. Good stress is manageable and can improve work performance. Bad stress is harmful and can lead to long-term health problems. It is important to learn to cope with bad anxiety so it doesn't take over your life.
It is important to know what triggers your work stress. If you can be aware of your stressors, you're more likely to be able to control the situation before it gets worse.
Ways to Cope with Stress in the Workplace
To manage stress in a work environment, let's explore some techniques. We’ve discussed different types of stress, so let’s break down ways to change our perspective and experience. Just as what brings stress for one person may not cause stress for another, these ideas for care can vary for each individual.
Try Getting Physical
Taking a yoga class or going for a spin on a bike are both great ways to get those feel-good endorphins flowing and take your mind off of whatever is stressing you out. If you are too busy and can't go to the gym or class, you can still do some things to get your body moving and reduce stress. Try these physical stress-relief strategies:
Take a walk inside the building (or around the block if you’re working from home)
Do not be involved in a challenging conversation
Bring your lunch break away from your desk
Sit up straight in your chair and close your eyes. Take three deep, cleansing breaths and feel your muscles relax
Take a five-minute break and walk to the nearest set of stairs
Do bear in mind that before you start any new physical activity, you have to consult a healthcare professional, especially if you are stressed.
Conclusion
Stress can have a major impact on our productivity and wellbeing. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the signs of stress and know how to manage it. If we can take care of ourselves, we can handle our responsibilities better.
If you or your family are experiencing any stress or anxiety, Hope Seed Support Center can help. We offer counseling services in Houston and cater to children, teens, and adults. Call us now to schedule an appointment.
