Stressful work environment contributes to lots of things including low productivity and performance. Some learn to just let it go at the expense of personal health and social interaction. What most people forget about is that there are ways to avoid stress and here are some of the things about how to avoid stress at work.
1. Maintain a Healthy Workload
Do not overwork yourself. Understand that you are not a machine that will not be tired. The best way is to avoid excessively workloads especially those with unrealistic deadlines. If you feel that you are being given such a workload, try to talk to your supervisor and arrive at something that is mutually beneficial and realistic.
2. Speak Up
Learning to speak up in a respectful and decent manner is something that could help you a lot. Remember that you are not a slave but an individual who is hired to benefit the company. If you feel that something is not working for you or if you have a problem with a task learn to talk to your supervisor or workmate. This way you can maintain healthy work relationships with others.
3. Appreciate Your Coworkers
Never be envious of others. Avoid spreading gossip and rumors. Learning to appreciate coworkers invites positive energy which is contagious. In the event that you are the one that is feeling the negative vibe then learn to speak up. Approach them in a respectful manner. If that is not working then report them to your supervisor.
Jealousy and high competition within the workplace is one of the highest sources of stress in the workplace. When people think that every coworker is up against you then you will never be at ease.
4. Have a Social Life
Life is not all about work. Make sure that you have enough social life outside of work which includes recreational activities and bonding with family or friends. Activities like these will help you recharge and remove the stressors building up. Always taking overtime and focusing on the monetary rewards of that most of the time will only drain you in the long run.
5. Establish Boundaries
Establishing boundaries between work and personal life is very important. Make full use of your day off from work and if you can avoid doing something related to work or even taking a call that is work-related unless it is an emergency. This way you can be recharged and focused on something that will reward yourself. It also enhances
6. Relax
Learn how to relax. Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises and mindfulness (a state in which you actively observe present experiences and thoughts without judging them) can help melt away stress. Start by taking a few minutes each day to focus on a simple activity like breathing, walking or enjoying a meal. The skill of being able to focus purposefully on a single activity without distraction will get stronger with practice and you’ll find that you can apply it to many different aspects of your life.
7. Talk to Friends and Colleagues
If you think that you have too much stress at work already try to ask the help of friends or colleagues. This discussion should not focus on just narrating all the things that contributes to your stress but mnoreover on how you can cope with them. Also, they might have ways by which can contribute to destressing your work.
8. Talk to your Supervisor
If you have problems at work which contributes to your stress talk to your supervisor or to the HR. Informing them of how you feel and what is happening is very important. The purpose of this isn’t to lay out a list of complaints, but rather to come up with an effective plan for managing the stressors you’ve identified, so you can perform at your best on the job.
In conclusion, remember that you are working to live and not living to work thus a work-life balance is very important. Learning how to cope up with stress will also lead to a happier work and contribute to a better sense of achievement.