How to Cope with Stress in the Workplace

April is stress awareness month. Those of us in the workforce probably don’t need a special month to be aware of the stress we face each day. However, awareness and acknowledgement of the issue is usually the first step to fix the problem. Here are some tips to help you cope with stress in the workplace:

Silence Your Mind

One of the most effective ways to deal with stress is to silence the mind. Try your best to focus on one thing at a time, and turn off other thoughts, especially negative ones. Try practicing mindfulness or meditation to clear your mind and enable you to focus on one task at a time.

Lean on Your Support Network

Whether it’s a team member, your boss, a close friend, or family member, it can be a huge stress relief just to talk to someone. If you feel overwhelmed, and need advice, ask your boss how to handle a situation, or ask a colleague for help. Don’t be afraid to lean on others for support; we are all in this together.

Don’t Skip Breaks

So many people get so busy that they don’t make time for breaks. It’s easy to fall into the trap of letting other people control your schedule, but breaks are a very important part of a healthy workday. We are humans, not robots. We need time to take a break, stretch, go for a walk, chat with a coworker, etc. If you don’t take a couple of breaks throughout the day, you will inevitably feel stressed and overwhelmed.

Visit Your Doctor

Stress can cause a number of health issues, so be sure to talk to your doctor if you have symptoms of stress. People under high stress can experience headaches, insomnia, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Your doctor may advise a change in diet, exercise, or even medication. It’s very important to keep an eye on your stress-related symptoms and talk to your doctor about them.