We all know what pressure is like at work with meetings
and deadlines. However, stress develops if workers can no longer cope with the
pressures placed upon them.
Here we look at 10 top tips for reducing stress at work:
1: Learn
to manage your time more effectively
We waste a lot of time doing unimportant tasks so
prioritise your day and do the important jobs first.
The unimportant ones can wait and often they will
disappear completely leaving you time to do other things.
Also do not put off the unpleasant tasks. Every time we
think about them we cause ourselves stress. Give an unpleasant task a high
priority and do it first.
2: Adopt a
healthy lifestyle
If we eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and ensure we
get adequate rest our body is better able to cope with stress should it occur.
3: Know
your limitations and do not take on too much
We cause ourselves a great deal of stress because we like
people to like us and do not want to let people down.
We then end up doing more than we should. Learn to be
assertive and how to say no without upsetting or offending people.
4: Find
out what causes you stress
Take time to discover what is worrying you and try to
change your behaviour to reduce it.
5: Avoid
unnecessary conflict
Don't be too argumentative. Is it really worth the stress?
Look for win - win situations.
Look for a solution to a dispute where both parties can
achieve a positive outcome.
6: Accept
the things you cannot change
Changing a difficult situation is not always possible. If
this proves to be the case recognise and accept things as they are.
7: Take
time out to relax and recharge your batteries
You will perform much better after a break and easily make
up the time you used relaxing.
8: Find
time to meet friends.
Friends can ease work troubles and help us see things in a
different way. The activities we engage in with friends usually help us relax
and we will often have a good laugh.
It boosts the immune system which is often depleted during
stress.
If you do become stressed engage in some form of physical
activity. It works off the biochemical and physical changes that occur within
your body due to stress.
Relaxation helps your body return to its normal healthy
state. Good relaxation techniques include breathing exercises, massage and a
variety of complimentary therapies.
9: Try to
see things differently
If something is bothering you try to see it differently.
Talk over your problem with somebody before it gets out of proportion.
Often, talking to somebody else will help you see things
from a different and less stressful perspective.
10: Avoid
alcohol, nicotine and caffeine as coping mechanisms
Long term, these faulty coping mechanisms will just add to
the problem.
For example, caffeine is a stimulant and our body reacts
to this with the stress response.
