There is a silent killer at your place of work. It lurks in the shadows, depleting your energy, shaking your confidence, and sacking your concentration.
Everyone at work talks about it in hushed tones, and your manager is in denial of its very existence.
What is it?
Stress.
You see, workplace stress is highly personal. And it is no joke. Professionals have shown that too much stress results in real physical symptoms like increased blood pressure, upset stomach, chest pains, and sleeping problems. It doesn’t matter whether you love what you do or not; every job has stress-related elements. Workplace stress can be short term. For example, you may experience pressure to fulfill a certain obligation or beat a deadline. But when stress becomes chronic, it can be overwhelming – and harmful to your mental and physical health.
Some common causes of work-related stress include:
- Low salaries
- Conflicts
- Unclear performance expectations
- Lack of social support
- Lack of enough control over work-related decisions
- Overworking
- Lack of growth opportunities
- Long working hours
Whatever your job demands, there are strategies you can take to protect yourself from the damaging effects of long-term stress, improve your job satisfaction, and overall health. Read on for effective ways to cope with work-related stress, before it takes over your life.
- Stay away from unnecessary conflicts
Yes, conflicts will always happen, but some conflicts can be avoided. Try as much as possible to stay from interpersonal conflicts. They take a toll on your emotional and physical health. Don’t share too much of your personal opinions on topics such as religion, politics, and sexuality, don’t gossip, and avoid colorful office humor. Avoid troublesome people. In most groups, there are those people who don’t work well with others. Avoid them. If fights find you anyway, refer to the point below.
- Address conflicts as soon as possible
In any group, conflicts are going to happen. At the workplace, it is inevitable to address conflicts as soon as they happen – whether it is between employees or managers. The way you handle conflict determines whether it will be a stress point or not. Never let conflict continue. If there is a fight between you and another employee or a manager, use the stipulated methods in your company to address the conflict. If you allow conflict to continue, it only becomes bigger. If you are a manager, learn to solve conflicts positively. Don’t resolve conflicts by punishing the conflicting parties. Punishment creates fear, which in turn results in stress
- Be clear on requirements
Unclear expectations are a major cause of stress in the workplace. It leads to job burnout. If the requirements are not clear, or they keep on changing, with little or no notice, you may find yourself stressed all the time. If you are not sure what is expected of you, talk to your boss and ask for clarification on your requirements and strategies for meeting them. It helps to reduce stress.
- Use CBD to reduce stress
CBD is a great option for people who are looking to destress. Cannabidiol impacts the CB1 receptor in the nervous system, helping to soothe everyday stressors. CBD allows you to reduce work-related stress naturally by creating a calmer state of mind. Simply add CBD to your daily routine to reduce stress on and off the job. Check out https://elitehealthproducts.org/ for the highest-quality CBD products. Another great option is delta-8 THC. Some great examples can be found here.
- Stay organized
Disorganization contributes to workplace stress. If you are a naturally disorganized person, try to plan your day ahead to stay organized. It helps to reduce stress at work. Be organized with your time to avoid rushing in the morning and rushing at the end of the day. Staying organized helps you to avoid the negative effects of clutter. Additionally, it helps to be efficient with your work.
- Be comfortable
Physical discomfort is a major cause of stress at the workplace. If you sit on an uncomfortable chair for, say ten minutes, you may not notice the stress that the person who sits there all the time experiences. Practically living in such a chair leads to a sore back, and you will be more reactive to stress as a result. Even small things such as someone laughing loudly or office noise may distract you and result in low-grade frustration. See to it that your workstation is comfortable, soothing, and quiet.
- Develop healthy responses
Don’t be tempted to reduce stress by eating fast foods or taking alcohol. Strive to make healthy choices when you feel your tension rising. Try other stress-busters such as yoga, meditation, or things you like doing. Listening to your favorite music, reading a novel, attending comedy shows, and physical activities are great stress-busters.
- Exercise regularly
If you need to succeed, you have to work hard. You see, raising children, paying your mortgage, meeting all your family needs, among other things, is not easy. Most people find themselves overly focused on their jobs at the expense of their health. Looking after your health helps you stay stronger and be more resilient to stress.
Looking after yourself does not need a complete life overhaul. Even small things will increase your energy, lift your mood, and make you feel in control of your life. Make time for regular exercises. Exercising is a great way to lift mood, sharpen focus, enhance energy, and relax both the body and mind. Rhythmic movements such as drumming, walking, or running are an effective way to soothe the nervous system. Set aside 30 minutes for exercising every day for maximum stress relief.
If stress is increasing at work, take a brief break, and stay away from the stressful situation. Take a stroll outside. It helps the mind to relax.
- Eat a healthy diet and include stress-busting foods
Did you know some diets can increase your stress levels? Alcohol, caffeine, and sugar can increase stress.
The food you eat has a great impact on the way you feel throughout the day. A healthy diet rich in lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables helps to reduce stress. It helps the body to maintain an even blood sugar level, which helps to prevent mood swings and maintain focus and energy. Low blood sugar makes you feel irritable, while overeating makes you feel sluggish.
- Cut on refined carbs and sugar – when tension rises, you may be tempted to take baked goods, sugary snacks, or comfort foods such as french fries and pasta. However, these
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