Coping With… Stress In The Workplace

Regardless of how good you are at your job, there will be times when things get on top of you. From struggling with a heavy workload to trying to stay on top of office politics, it can be tough to handle stress in the workplace and it is an issue that, if left untreated, could impact on your career. There are little things you can do to reduce your day-to-day anxiety at work, try these little tips. Look forward If you have a busy week or project coming up at work, try and prepare as best you can. Talk to your colleagues and discuss an action plan, allocating duties to different people and making sure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities. If you'll be working alone, think about what you need to get down and work out a weekly schedule. Sometimes seeing things written down and accounted for can make things seem a lot less daunting. Don't burn the candle When we're busy at work, we can have a tendency so pack things in at the weekend so we don't 'waste' our free time. However, eating properly and getting sufficient rest is vital if you're going to bring your A-game in the office so don't be afraid to say no to that big night out in favour of a boxset on the couch! Separate work and home life If you're talking about work 24/7, you're going to start feeling a little overwhelmed eventually. Make an effort to meet up with friends who are separate from your work life and concentrate on talking about other topics to give your brain a break. Communicate Nothing is more stressful in the office than having bad feeling between you and a co-worker. If there's something brewing, meet it head on. Ask them to meet you for a coffee after work and talk it out. Usually, these disagreements are based on misunderstandings or something that can be easily solved. Bite the bullet and get it out in the open. Don't engage in drama Every office has its fair share of drama but engaging in bitchy chit-chat will do you no good. Venting over a cuppa for two minutes is one thing but being involved in every office battle is toxic and a complete waste of energy. Be honest If you're not happy, try to talk to your supervisor about it. While it's not advisable to call a meeting to give out about your company and everyone in it, taking a professional approach to discussing your issues can be the best thing for everyone. Nobody wants a sulky employee bringing down the mood of the office so chances are, they'll be delighted that you raised the issue. Similarly, if you're being unfairly treated by your boss or carrying the load for someone else, stand up for yourself. Chances are, nobody else is going to going to. Take a moment If tempers are running high or your brain is on the verge of collapse, step away for five minutes. Make a cup of tea, take a quick stroll, call a friend... getting a little break and going back to the situation with fresh eyes can do the world of good. Get up early in the morning Starting your day by running out the door and being scared that you'll be late isn't the best of beginnings. Get up half an hour early so that you have time to eat and take your time getting ready. That feeling of calm can carry through to your workday. Fake it til you make it Sometimes, the best way to get out of a funk is just to force it. If you're stressed or in a bad mood, do something nice for colleague, pay someone a compliment, put on some good music... being positive can be contagious!