Managing Work Stress:
Avoiding Burning out on the Job
Because most of the lives of people are spent working, individuals find it extremely stressful. Stress can stem from so many different things. There are the long hours required at work, overtimes, tight deadlines; conflict with co-workers, friction with clients, and the long list goes on and on.
There are about only a few people who can absolutely say they have not experienced stress at work. Because stress is the result of the interaction of an individual with a stressor (an unpleasant or unsettling object, person or situation), it is necessary for everyone to at least know the basics steps in avoiding work stress. Stress arises when the stressor exceeds or overtakes the ability for the individual to cope. Since there are a wide range of stressors and their effects vary across different people, the best way to avoid stress is to develop one’s ability to cope.
Preventing Work Stress
There are numerous ways to avoid or minimize work stress. The tips that will be presented are among the more general and basic ways to minimize stress at work. The first step in preventing work stress is taking time to recognize and deal with work stress. It is important that an individual recognizes that he
or she is under stress. Without this recognition, a desire to deal with the stress will never come.
The second step is identifying your primary stressor. In doing this, you would need to sit down, be alone and do some deep thinking. Assess your regular activities. Identify in which part of the day you feel most stressed, tired or upset. And then, identify the factors that stress you most. By identifying your primary stressor/s, dealing with it will be much easier.
Now that you have identified your primary stressor/s some helpful tips can be helpful in dealing with them. First, a positive attitude or take on work matters must replace old and negative ones. The key is always looking for an alternative to the key situation. A positive take on conversations, thoughts and actions must be practiced. Second, it is important to remember that you are just one person. Despite the demanding terms and obligations that your work puts you up to, it is impossible for you to do everything. Therefore, it is important that you recognize that getting everything done is not as important as getting everything done on a specific schedule. Schedules are made because they make work realistically paced. Do not focus yourself on how much you have to do, rather direct it on the schedule that has been made and just do your best to live up to it.
Third, not skipping meals such as your lunch is also very important. Lunch breaks were created for a good purpose. They give you an opportunity to take some time to relax your mind and your body. It also gives you the chance to recharge your body. Nourishing your body means replenishing the energy you have already spent on work. It is important to take your lunch and use this time to relax yourself.
Fourth, keeping a balance between your professional and personal lives is important in minimizing and preventing work stress. Striking a balance is not apportioning yourself to these two aspects, rather it means giving your total attention and dedication to one at a specific time and to the other at another specific time. It does not have to a tug-of-war game. It is a matter of delineating the two aspects of your life.
Finally, keeping work matters at work will keep stress at bay. The home is your sanctuary. It is your personal space and it is important that this space is not contaminated by work concerns. Listening to music, engaging in recreational activities or simply being alone in your home several hours a day will do wonders for your ability to cope.
Back to
more health and nutrition tips
and advice
To teach and learn money skills, personal finance, money management, business,
careers, and life skills please go to the Money
Instructor home page.
