How to Alleviate Work Related Stress to Be Happier and Healthier

Last Updated on March 23, 2023 by Milton Campbell

Something is affecting almost all of us at some point in our lives. This thing can lead to numerous health issues, ultimately lowering our life expectancies. So, what is it you ask?

The answer is STRESS at work!

Your next question should be how do I reduce stress at work? We will get to that but first, let’s talk about what causes stress at work.

What Causes Stress at Work

Stress can be caused by many things at work. There’s the dreaded deadline or like we like to call it at my job, suspense. Deadlines can really be stressful when you feel like you have too much to do and not enough time. It begins to feel overwhelming.

Another huge stressor at work is people. Bosses, subordinates, co-workers, or even customers can be the cause of stress. Any one of these people can get on our nerves and become stressors in our life. We can’t necessarily choose the people we work with or work for but there are things we can do to minimize our stress at work.

Tips to Minimize Work Related Stress

The moment has finally arrived to talk about how to reduce stress at work. I say reduce because we can’t completely eliminate it. As a matter of fact, a little bit of stress can be healthy if used as motivation. I hope to provide you with enough tips to minimize the stress at work to a healthy level so you can be happier and healthier.

Start the Day Off on the Right Foot

A picture of the right foot.

Have you ever had a day where it just seems like everything goes wrong from the moment you wake up? I certainly have. Sometimes we are struck by the bad luck bug but most of the time we cause this to happen to ourselves. Have you ever heard of self-prophesizing? That’s where you believe something into existence, subconsciously making it true. Whether you start your day thinking you will have a good day or a bad day, most of the time you’re right. Start your day off on the right foot by having a good attitude from the start.

Meditate

I know what you’re saying, I can’t meditate at work. My boss will walk in and think I’m sleeping on the job. You may not have time for a full meditation session, but you should have enough time for a micro meditation session. Close your eyes for a minute or two and clear your mind. Try to not think about anything and just let your mind reset for a bit. Just this little mental break can be enough to destress and regain focus.

Meditating in the morning can also be a great way to get your day off on the right foot. For meditation techniques follow this link https://www.mindful.org/how-to-meditate/.

Take a Break

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed with our workload. When we start falling behind, it’s easy to fall into the trap of skipping breaks. However, skipping breaks can actually be counterproductive and make it harder for us to stay focused and productive.

When we work for long periods without taking breaks, we can become fatigued and stressed, which can negatively impact our performance. Taking a 5-minute break can help us reduce our stress levels and get back in the right state of mind to get our work done. By taking regular breaks, we can recharge our batteries and improve our productivity.

It’s important to note that not all breaks are created equal. When you take a break, try to get your mind off the job for as long as possible. This means avoiding checking emails or browsing social media. Instead, try to engage in activities that help you relax and unwind. This could include taking a short walk, stretching, or practicing deep breathing exercises.

Another effective strategy is to practice mindfulness during your breaks. Mindfulness involves being fully present in the moment and focusing on your thoughts and feelings without judgment. By practicing mindfulness, you can reduce your stress levels and improve your mental clarity and focus.

NLP

Man pointing at the words Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). Use NLP to reduce stress at work.

NLP stands for neurolinguistic programming. It is a different approach to communicating created by Richard Bandler and John Grinder. Not only with others but also communicating with ourselves. There are many techniques in NLP that can help us reduce stress at work. For example, you can take whatever is stressing you out and picture it in your mind. Once you have a good picture of it, begin to spin it in your mind like the vision is in a washing machine getting faster and faster. As the image speeds up, make it smaller and smaller until it is gone. You can repeat this multiple times to get better results.

Another technique that is useful to reduce stress at work is anchoring a happy relaxed time, to an action. For example, you can anchor the memory of the vacation you took, by squeezing the space on your hand between your thumb and index finger. This method needs to be set up before getting into a stressful situation but can be very useful.

For this technique, all you have to do is visualize a time when you were happy and relaxed and squeeze a specific part of your hand. You need to do this multiple times with the same memory and action, to get it anchored in your mind. Once you have it set up, it is ready for the next time you find yourself in a stressful situation at work. Just grab that part of your hand and let yourself drift off into your happy place.

For more great NLP techniques check out this link https://www.globalnlptraining.com/blog/5-easy-ways-reduce-stress-using-nlp/.

Smile

Smiling causes the body to release more endorphins, putting you in a happier state of mind. It may seem awkward but a good technique to automatically improve your mood is to go into the bathroom and smile at yourself in the mirror.

Smiling has an added benefit as well. Smiles are contagious. When people see you smile, they can’t help themselves but smile or at least be in a little better mood. People treat you differently when they are happier. This will not only reduce stress at work for you but will also reduce the stress of those around you.

Distraction

Sometimes all you need is a little bit of distraction from the things that are stressing you out at work. A stress ball that you squeeze in your hand or a fidget spinner are examples of great distractors. Even if you don’t have any of those available you can simply crumple up a piece of paper and throw it in the air for a few mins. Pretty much anything that takes your mind off your workplace stressors for a few minutes will help you get back into a better state of mind.

If you’re looking for a good distraction, check out these sites for personal and professional growth.

Avoid Conflict

Man and woman having conflict in the workplace.

We’ve all had those people in our lives that seem to seek out conflict and drama. Work is no different. If you have one of these people at your workplace avoid them as much as you can.

You can’t completely avoid conflict in the workplace so when it does happen, avoid making it worse. Try to keep an open mind and listen to others. Keep a calm and level head so you can hear what the other person is trying to say. When you do find yourself in conflict, look for a resolution that helps everybody involved as quickly as possible.

For more tips on managing conflict in the workplace click the link.

Stand or Walk Around

Many people who work desk jobs spend the majority of their day sitting in front of a computer screen. While this may seem harmless, it can actually put a lot of stress on your body and mind. Sitting for extended periods of time can cause stiffness in your muscles, strain on your eyes, and even contribute to mental fatigue.

Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce stress and promote overall well-being while at work. One of the easiest things you can do is to stand up, stretch, and walk around if you can. This helps to get your blood flowing and relieve stress not only in your body but also in your mind. Even just a short walk around the office can help to break up the monotony of sitting and provide a much-needed mental break.

In addition to taking short breaks throughout the day, incorporating regular exercise into your routine can also help to reduce stress. Exercise has been shown to release endorphins, which are natural chemicals that help to elevate your mood and reduce stress levels. Even if you only have a few minutes to spare, taking a quick walk or doing some gentle stretching can help to improve your overall sense of well-being.

Another way to reduce stress while at work is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness involves being fully present in the moment and focusing on your thoughts and feelings without judgment. By practicing mindfulness, you can reduce your stress levels and improve your mental clarity and focus.

Get the Right Amount of Sleep

The average adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Getting the right amount of sleep can not only get you started on the right foot in the morning but will also keep you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the world for the rest of the day. With the proper amount of sleep, you are less likely to have health problems as well. It might seem like you don’t have enough time to get the right amount of sleep but if you do you are more productive throughout the day.

Stay Organized

Have you ever walked into your home or office and immediately felt anxiety because of how messy the place is? I have. Keeping your workspace neat and organized helps you stay in the right state of mind. It also increases your productivity. Therefore, leaving you fewer reasons to get stressed out.

If you have a messy work area take some time to perform a 5s six sigma event. 5s stands for Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. You can find more information on 5s by clicking here.

Increase Your Productivity and Efficiency

Productivity is a vital component of any successful career. It helps you to achieve your goals, meet deadlines, and maintain a positive attitude. While increasing your productivity may keep your boss happy, there are also many personal benefits to being productive that can positively impact your work life.

One significant benefit of increasing your productivity is the sense of self-satisfaction you gain from completing tasks. When you accomplish a task, you feel productive and accomplished, which can boost your confidence and motivation. This positive attitude can help you tackle more challenging tasks and lead to a greater sense of job satisfaction.

Another benefit of increasing your productivity is the reduction of stress at work. When you have a lot of tasks on your plate, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and stressed out. However, by increasing your productivity, you can reduce the number of tasks you have to complete, which can alleviate stress and anxiety. With fewer tasks to worry about, you can focus on the tasks at hand and work more efficiently.

Being productive also allows you to work smarter, not harder. When you are productive, you learn to prioritize tasks and focus on the most important ones. This helps you to be more efficient with your time, which can lead to a better work-life balance. With more free time, you can pursue other interests and hobbies outside of work, which can improve your overall well-being.

Click here for ways to get more done in a day and become a more productive you.

Final Thoughts

Lowering your stress at work and home is important to becoming a happier person. If you follow these tips, you will see a difference in your life, and you may even live longer because of it. Every little bit helps, and it doesn’t happen overnight but if you make an effort every day to get less stressed out you will see a big difference.

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