How To Reduce Stress In The Workplace

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Out of all the ailments that can befall your body, stress is one of the worst. Though personal problems or challenges can certainly lead to it, the number one place that most people encounter stress is in the workplace. Worse yet, they face it almost daily, which is not only bad on your body, but it can also exacerbate other conditions and make them worse. For this reason, it is very important for you to learn how to reduce stress in the workplace.

The first thing you must do to reduce stress in the workplace is to stop worrying about the things you have no control over. Perhaps you are worried that a package you sent to a client won’t get to them on time because there is a shipping delay. The responsibility for that package is in the hands of the carrier, not you. The best you can do is come up with a backup plan in case that package doesn’t arrive on time. Perhaps overnighting another package using a different carrier. Once you come up with your fallback plan, stop worrying.

Next, you should stop striving for perfection. Most people are their own worst critic, and once they finish a job, they go over in their head all things things they could have done differently, then proceed to beat themselves up over it. This is stressful and counterproductive, and does nobody any good. If there is something you could have done better, note it for the next project, then move on. You cannot change what has already happened, so stop stressing and start proactively working to do better next time.

You should also think about manageable goals rather than huge, lofty ones. You may want to finish a work project in record time, but if that is your only goal, you are doomed to fail. Instead, break down your goal into several smaller, bite size goals that are manageable. When you accomplish each one, check it off. Once you see the check marks building up, it motivates you to keep going.

While in the middle of working towards those more attainable goals, you should also try to think positive. Envision yourself actually achieving each goal, rather than failing. That gives you a clearer picture of what it takes to accomplish each feat, and makes that journey to accomplishment easier and less stressful. Many forward-thinking employers encourage meditation sessions in the workplace, and evidence apprears to support this in having positive effects.

Always strive to inject some humor into your work, as often as you can. The old adage that laughter is the best medicine really rings true when it comes to stress. Laughing releases endorphins into your body, which can make you almost instantly feel better. Even when you are really stressed out, laughing or even just making someone else laugh can be instantly relaxing and help you breathe a little easier.

Of course, none of this will work unless you have something to look forward to when you get home. Some people work all day and night and have no personal life. If this sounds like you, then this needs to change. Having something to look forward to when you leave work instantly lifts your mood. It can be anything from your child, a pet or even just a cooking class. Perhaps you can schedule a day at the spa or a massage each week to look forward to. Just make sure your entire life is not about working.

Finally, you should take care of your physical health in order to help with stress. This means eating right and getting regular exercise, even if it is only a few minutes each day. If your body feels strong, it can handle stressful situations better, and the impact of stress will not hurt as much. You have to start from the inside to make everything else better.