Work stress is something many people are all-too-familiar with and often take for granted. But the effects of workplace stress don’t stay at the office; they follow us into our homes and personal lives, affecting our relationships, sleep, mindset and sense of self. It’s crucial that we find a balance between home life and work-life – especially in these challenging times when so many of us are working from home.

Symptoms of workplace stress
Symptoms of workplace stress can present itself physically (headaches, stomach aches, fatigue, or changes in eating and sleeping patterns), cognitively (inability to concentrate, trouble making decisions, forgetting things), and emotionally (feeling down, tense and irritated).

The prevention of workplace stress is most successful when both employee and the employer try to change the environment. Like any relationship, you can’t control what the other person does but there are tools that you can use to manage your stress.

Positive Psychology shares six tips for stress management:

1. Take a moment to find the positive: The news, social media and listening to other people can make us feel negative. Take a minute to ask yourself different questions like: “What makes me lucky to be here?”, “What’s right about my current circumstances?”, “What am I enjoying right now?” Taking time to find the good really does shift our outlook.

2. Take a genuine interest in other people: Taking in an interest in other people, what they did on the weekend, what they enjoy doing, their family or engaging enthusiastically, can make a big difference in your environment.

3. Find and use your strengths: Every one of us has a different skill set and when we are given the chance to act on our strengths, we are far happier and more productive. Take time to know what your strengths are and find ways to use them more.

4. Find the strengths in others: If you are having a negative work relationship with someone, try to identify their strengths. Rather than avoiding someone you think may not like you, try to get to know them better.

5. Use mindfulness to reduce stress: When the world around us is so unstable and uncertain, it is easy to keep thinking about the negative or focus on ‘worst-case scenarios’. Mindfulness makes negative emotions more manageable and helps to bring us into the present moment. Take a walk outside, feel the sun or smell a flower or simply look at the view from your window.

6. Self-care is essential: If you are forgetting to care for yourself, you are not alone. There are ways to practice self-care and compassion safely under COVID conditions. Be kind and compassionate to yourself and leave work behind at the end of the day. Before going to sleep, think about the three best moments of your day. This is a great way to check-in with yourself and regulate your emotions.

If you are feeling stressed and anxious, take some time to get support and develop a new self-care routine. Contact us via on SMS 32377.

References
Positive Psychology: 62 Stress Management Techniques, Strategies & Activities; Very Well Mind: Using Positive Psychology for Stress Management; Psychology Today: 10 New Strategies for Stress Management

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