\n\tAs many of us already know, work can be a place of stress which may make you sick, depressed, irritable or unproductive.<\/p>\n
\n\tWhatever the cause, work-related stress is a growing concern for organisations and should not be ignored as it ultimately impacts employee productivity and leads to increased absenteeism.<\/p>\n
\n\tWhile you might feel helpless and stressed at times, there are ways you can empower yourself and change your job situation for the better!<\/p>\n
\n\tWhen you are feeling overwhelmed it can be difficult to remain objective. When even the smallest setbacks make us feel overwhelmed, stop and take a deep breath. This not only helps calm you down, but prevents you from saying something you might regret.<\/p>\n
\n\tDon’t try to deal with stress all by yourself! Talking it through with someone you can trust, whether your line manager or a colleague, can help you identify what\u2019s causing the stress and offer improvements to the situation.<\/p>\n
\n\tTalk to your colleague or manager and get their advice if you are faced with a task that you feel is too challenging or if you are \u2018in over your head\u2019.<\/p>\n
\n\tStress can occur when there\u2019s a difference between what\u2019s required of us and what we feel we can deliver. Working with your boss to ensure you are both on the same page may mean re-prioritising, checking timescales or having clear objectives. You may still feel under pressure, but at least your manager knows you\u2019re focussed. You may also find that what you thought were some of your most critical tasks can get pushed back down your \u2018to-do\u2019 list.<\/p>\n
\n\tOnce you pinpoint your sources of stress, think about what you can do to resolve it\/them. For example, if you\u2019re stressed about a tight deadline, talk to your manager to see which project could be taken off your plate, even just temporarily, so you can focus on the task at hand. If it\u2019s a conflict with a colleague, think about what you can do to resolve it.<\/p>\n
\n\tA positive step is to make a list, breaking down the tasks into manageable parts or defining the real cause of the conflict.<\/p>\n
\n\tColleagues who are constantly stressed out and do a lot of complaining can affect the way you feel and behave. Choosing to be around more positive, helpful people will provide you with better support and even assist you in identifying solutions.<\/p>\n
\n\tHumour and laughter can lighten the mood of your workplace and make it truly a fun place to be. This in turn makes you, your colleagues and even your managers more enthusiastic about their jobs and much more productive.<\/p>\n
\n\tHumour at work is highly recognised for the benefits it brings to individuals. Laughter releases endorphins that reduce stress, create a sense of wellbeing and make you feel more alert.<\/p>\n
\n\tIt can also help you think and be more creative. Just take a moment to remember the time when you were stuck on a problem, then had a good laugh which cleared you of your negative feelings. It allowed you to look at the situation with a fresh positive outlook.<\/p>\n
\n\tTake care of yourself! Engage in activities that are relaxing to you, such as yoga, walking, running, gardening or anything that you really enjoy. Of course, physical activities are a boon to your health and can be protective. Being in good physical strength also makes you somewhat more immune to the effects of stress.<\/p>\n
\n\tAt the same time, make sure you eat healthy foods and drink lots of water.<\/p>\n
\n\tWhilst it is important for employees to be aware of workplace stress, it is also essential for employers to be aware of any work overloads or pressure on their teams.<\/p>\n
\n\tWorkplace stress presents a significant health and safety issue and employers need to take steps to ensure that their employees are given the opportunity to improve the situation.<\/p>\n
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