Did you know 80% of people report that they feel stress from work at least sometimes? Some reports have indicated that 60% of people that call in sick are just suffering from work stress.
Managing stress is an important skill to learn because stress from work is a growing trend. Many jobs require their employees to work long hours. Staff doing the jobs of multiple people.
If you are nodding as you read this, you are likely to experience work stress, too. Keep reading to learn some tools for stress management.
Focus on Work Wellness to Minimize Work Stress
There are many small things that you can do to keep work stress to a minimum. You can reduce anxiety levels, too.
Not all workplaces allow for these things. If your office has rules that make it difficult for you to make it less stressful, consider putting together a proposal to allow employees to create a less stressful environment.
If your managers see that reducing stress at work is to their benefit, they may reconsider rules that prevent stress management techniques.
Stay hydrated to keep your brain active and increase the chances of managing stress better. When you are properly hydrated, you can handle problems better. Bring a water bottle and keep it on your desk
If there are not plants in the office, ask your employers if you can bring some in. Green plants improve the quality of the air. They also have a calming effect.
Minimize artificial light. Maximize natural light. Encourage everyone to open the blinds and let the sunshine in.
Work Friends Decrease Stress from Work
Work is less stressful when you get along with the people you work with. They don’t have to be your best friends. You just need to get along.
Team building exercises can encourage friendship and laughter. You can also organize activities outside of work like bowling, picnics, and group dinners.
If your work doesn’t have these activities already, be patient. Find a few people to get on board with reducing stress on the job. As others hear about the fun you are having, they will join in.
Other things you can do to help people create work friendships include having a mentorship program. You can also discourage the smartphone lunchroom by putting down your phone and starting conversations.
Live a Healthier Life to Manage Work Stress
When you are stressed, you may turn to high-fat, high-sugar snacks for comfort. These foods don’t help.
When you eat junk food, you feel tired and lethargic. Your brain feels like mush. That makes it difficult to focus and the stress increases.
A diet high in sugar can also lead to weight gain and high blood sugar. When you’re stressed, your insulin levels fall, increasing your cortisol levels which makes you crave junk food.
Lower insulin levels mean your blood sugar increase and your stress levels rise creating a cycle. Stress and blood sugar levels are correlated. Each one increases the other.
Plan for snacks. High fiber food like fruits and vegetables and complex carbohydrates can fill the need to eat. They also give you energy and help your brain work better.
Managing work stress through health choices is not only about what you put in your mouth. It’s also about what you do. Exercise is a great tool to minimize stress from work.
Life can be hectic though and it can be difficult to get to a gym or go for a run. You can exercise while you’re at work though.
Start a walking group during the lunch hour. Use coffee breaks to do some stretches at your desk. Have walking meetings where everyone walks and talks.
Organize for Better Stress Management
One of the biggest causes of work stress is too much work or too many types of work. If you don’t know what to do first because it is all important, you will feel more stressed.
To minimize stress because of workloads, you need to be organized. If you prioritize your work tasks, your objectives for the day will feel more clear.
Put tasks that get you closer to your end goals first. These are your priorities. Chose up to three tasks to prioritize each day.
Set deadlines to reduce work stress. When you know you need to complete a task by a certain time, you can focus on the most important tasks first.
Having a plan is a good tool for reducing stress. Find a planner system that works for you and utilize it each day.
Take Breaks, Lunches, and Vacations
If you are working through your breaks and lunches, stress is going to follow. Your brain needs time to relax. You need to be able to unwind during the day.
Take your breaks and your lunch hours. If you can, leave the office. Meet a friend for lunch.
If you can’t leave the building, utilize those work friendships you have been building. Take time to talk about something other than work.
Vacation time is your right. Employers will sometimes discourage you from taking it because it’s a busy time of the year or it’s just not the right time. Vacation time is your right though, so take it when you can.
Vacations don’t need to mean an expensive international trip. A relaxing vacation could just be spending time with family and loved ones. The key is to not think about work!
Be Proactive in Managing Stress
If you let it, work stress can take over your life. It can affect your family life, your physical health, and your mental health.
To minimize work stress, you need to take an active role in creating a healthier lifestyle.
Want to learn more about how you can maximize your health and minimize work stress? Learn more about us here.