How to Deal with Stress and Anxiety in the Workplace

Feb 14, 2011
Tel Asiado

Dealing with Stress - Take time to Relax, Short Breaks - Tel Asiado

Stress at work should be dealt with before it affects productivity and relationships: by making improvements in work life, well-being and personal habits.

The nagging question about stress is how to deal with it. Stress is disruptive to concentration and temperaments, and worse, stresses that extend beyond a day or two can affect productivity and efficiency, reflected as poor performance.

There are ways to deal with stress at work, and it is to look at one’s personal habits, body and work life, and from these, improvements can be made.

Things to Do in the Workplace

Develop other job skills. Relevant training, seminars or courses can help an employee progress in their career in terms of skills and knowledge.

Be assertive. Learn to speak up if work becomes overwhelming, or if something is disturbing you at work. It would be helpful to schedule a meeting with your supervisor in a professional way, at the same time ask for a feedback on your job performance.

Find time for breaks. The body and mind need a time-out. They should be freed up to relax and replenish new energy for a more productive work.

Make a list of everything that needs to be done, and prioritize them accordingly. They should be ticked once completed.

Avoid procrastinating. Get on with things to be done.

Keep Track of Personal Habits

Talk or share problems with a trusted friend-colleague, if necessary. They are persons who are trustworthy who you can discuss your problems with. They may have the same sentiments or might be able to help by being objective about your problem. Change your perception or the way you see things. Sometimes, imagining the worst is bound to make some people stressed.

Do the things you enjoy. Find time to enjoy during the week. Be with family or call friends to unwind.

Acknowledge your successes. Pat yourself in the back even for little things you’ve done that have made a difference in the day. It feels good.

Be Healthy and Well

Eat well. Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables should be included in your diet, and watch your fat intake. The body needs plenty of resources to tackle everyday stresses.

Exercise regularly. It helps relieve stress, and stretching exercises in particular help release built up tension.

Have a sufficient sleep. Sleep deprivation is a stressor in itself, so make sure you get plenty – and if there’s opportunity, a 10-minute cat nap during the day if good.

Be gentle with yourself. Drugs and use of excessive alcohol is an obvious abuse to the body.

Stress and anxiety can be dealt with by improving personal habits, life work, and well-being. Employees with physical or emotional problems should seek professional or counseling help to get back on their feet.

Interested readers may want to check out other articles related to coping with stress or at least reduce it: Things to Consider before Resigning from your Day Job, Dealing with Stress in Life and How to Cope with Stress at Work.