Keeping it Cool - How to Handle Workplace Stress

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

Workplace stress is a very real thing that happens to many people. Having to meet quotas, balancing family life with work, and the ever-so-constant concern of money and how it's spent are all major issues that the typical worker has to deal with. Think you might be stressed? Here is a list of some of the common symptoms of workplace stress: 

Emotional symptoms

• Negative or depressive feeling
• Disappointment with yourself
• Increased emotional reactions – more tearful or sensitive or aggressive
• Loneliness
• Loss of motivation, commitment and confidence
• Mood swings

Mental Symptoms

• Confusion, indecision
• Difficulty concentrating
• Poor memory

Changes from your normal behavior

• Changes in eating habits
• Increased smoking, drinking or drug taking ‘to cope’
• Mood swings affecting your behavior
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Twitchy, nervous behavior
• Changes in attendance such as arriving later or taking more time off
• Increase in errors and accidents

So how do you deal with workplace stress? All it requires is a little bit of patience and some self-confidence. Tackle each assignment you are given as a challenge and tell yourself that you WILL get each task done. Make sure to take frequent breaks from work when you feel it is needed. If you feel crammed in your cubicle then make a goal to get up out of your chair every hour and go on a little walk. You can even take your walk outside and get some fresh air. One of the most common causes for stress is a lack of fresh air and exercise. By going on a leisure walk outside you are killing two birds with one stone!

Another really helpful thing to do in order to defeat stress is to consider your diet. Have you been consuming unhealthy amounts of sugary foods? All of that sugar causes the human body to feel bogged down after a while. Though the initial rush of caffeine might make you feel good, the crash afterwards is often very rough. Start eating healthy snacks instead such as fruits, vegetables, and granola bars. 

And lastly, learn to perfect your time management skills. A major reason why most people feel stressed at work suddenly is because they just realize that a project or assignment is near deadline and most of the work has been procrastinated. Make the investment of buying a personal planner. With a planner handy, you will be able to jot down all of your tasks in an organized manner and will have something to use as a reminder so you won't procrastinate on things. Mark off time in your schedule for fun stuff too! After all, part of staying stress free is to balance work with play! 

Thank you for your time and attention! Let's make it safe this Monday!

Phil Kwitek

Demand Generation Specialist, Lift’n Buddy, a Southworth Company