Do you feel a wave of stress each time you walk through your office door? If so, you aren’t alone. According to The American Institute of Stress, more than 83% of workers in the United States experience high levels of work-related stress, and up to one million workers miss work due to these high-stress levels each day.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to keep your stress levels low and to improve both your mental and physical well being. Here are a few tips to help you better manage your stress while at work.
Identify Your Triggers
What causes your stress levels to rise? Is it a certain individual? A particular project? Your email inbox? For at least one week, keep a stress journal. Throughout the day, record your stress levels as well as what you are doing, your thoughts, who you are talking to, etc. Be diligent in your stress journal and write in it often (several times each hour is great!). Once your week is done, look through your journal and identify any patterns. Look for any similarities when your stress levels are high.
Enjoy Your Breaks
It can be difficult to break away from your long to-do list for a little self-care and relaxation, but you must do it. When you give yourself a break, you give your body and your mind a chance to refresh and recharge. During your breaks, don’t go to the break room and discuss work-related topics. Rather, go for a walk, read a book, etc. Give yourself time to think about items other than work.
Self-Care
What you do at home will affect your stress levels at work. For example, if you aren’t taking care of your body at home, you will likely not do it at work either. Make yourself a priority when away from the office and schedule time for self-care. This could include activities such as running, meditation, participating in a favorite hobby, etc. Also, make sure you take the time to eat well, sleep, and participate in regular exercise.
Get Organized
You may not realize it, but a cluttered and messy desk is going to increase your stress levels. Take the time to clean and organize your office space. This will make it easier for you to find papers, notes, and supplies. You will also have a space that allows for creativity and productivity.
To stay organized, spend a few minutes at the end of each workday to clear off your desk, sanitize your work area, and more. Then, when you arrive the next morning, you will be calmer and more excited to start your day.
Know Your Limits
No matter how hard you try, you aren’t perfect. This means that you need to be forgiving and give yourself a break. Don’t get upset if things don’t go your way or if they don’t turn out as you expected. You also need to know your limits and be willing to say no when it is needed.
At Diary of an Entrepreneur, we provide a community of powerful female leaders, entrepreneurs, and business owners to give you the support, motivation, and encouragement you need on your best days and those days when your stress levels are high. We also have a large collection of resources to help you reach your business goals without burning out. Check us out to learn more.
