Six Ways to Reduce Stress in the Workplace

Good stress management is an important to us all, especially in the workplace, where we spend a majority of our conscious lives. Regular stress can put you at risk of developing long-term mental health issues. It is therefore important to take steps to recognise and adopt effective coping strategies. Below are some stress management techniques you can try:

Start your day off right

Scrambling around in the mornings dealing with pre-work routines can be stressful in itself. Getting the kids fed and off to school, dealing with traffic etc. can take its toll and set the tone for the rest of your day and make you more reactive to stress in the workplace. It is a wise idea therefore to wake up early and give yourself plenty of time to get everything done, have a healthy breakfast and start planning your day ahead.

Stay away from interpersonal conflict

Interpersonal conflict take a toll on your physical and emotional health, and can stop you from looking forward to going to work. Avoid office gossip, remember that your personal opinions and humour might be different to others’, and adopt effective conflict resolution skills.

Stay organised

Planning ahead of your day can greatly decrease your stress at work. To-do lists can give you structure, make you more efficient and avoid forgetfulness. Try not to multitask – it may seem counterproductive, but it’s actually the correct way to work. If you solely focus on one task, you will be able to complete it much quicker and effectively, leaving you feeling more confident and less stressed.

Ask for feedback

To know how you are performing goes a long way, not only in terms of stress reduction but also career growth. Without receiving feedback on the work you are doing can leave you feeling in the dark, and unsure and underconfident. Unfortunately, not all managers are accustomed to providing regular performance reviews, one-on-one sessions or generally providing regular feedback on employees’ performance. If you can relate to this, don’t be afraid to seek your manager’s opinion on your performance. Although it might be slightly uncomfortable, it could go a long way to give you affirmation and a confidence boost.

Be comfortable

It’s simple and effective. Having a comfortable, tidy and quiet workspace can have a huge positive effect on your state of mind, performance and productivity levels. You practically live in that office chair so make sure it is adjusted properly and cushioned if necessary. Make sure your monitor is adjusted at the correct height to prevent slouching. Keep your workspace tidy – this can also help you to stay organised.

Take regular breaks

When you’re striving to hit a deadline, or a tough challenge has got you feeling the pressure, it can be tempting to force yourself to focus well past the point of fatigue and create unwanted stress. Taking regular breaks will  help you to refresh mentally, and also improve your productivity and quality of work, attention levels, awareness and how fast you work. Your body will give you signals suggesting it’s time to have a short break – finding it difficult to concentrate, feeling tired, being hungry and feeling restless. As a guideline make sure to stand up and take 10 minutes away from your desk every couple of hours. If you can leave your desk at lunch and get a change of scenery and environment.