Finding your Balance: 8 Effective Strategies to Beat Workplace Stress

In today's fast-paced and high-pressure work environments, managing stress has become a familiar challenge for many. Common causes of workplace stress are numerous including heavy workloads, long working hours, tight deadlines, lack of control or autonomy, work-life balance issues, interpersonal conflicts and organizational changes. Whilst stress is a natural response to real (or perceived) threats or challenges, chronic stress can take a toll on our physical and mental health negatively impacting not just our job performance and productivity but our overall physical, emotional and mental health. It is essential to take the best care that you can of your health even in a stressful and busy workplace environment. There are various strategies that you can use to manage your stress effectively which may improve your overall physical, emotional and mental health including your well-being, resilience and productivity. 

Become more self-aware and identify the source of your stress

Is it a specific task, a co-worker, or the overall work environment? Once you identify the source, you can begin to take steps to address it. 

Make sure your basic self-care needs are being met

Taking care of your physical health can have a significant impact on stress levels. Regular exercise, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and staying hydrated are important factors in managing stress.

Take your breaks

Lunch breaks are there for a reason and remember our brains need a break too! If possible, move out of the work environment and do something for You! Go for a short walk, grab an exercise class, listen to music, have a nap or chat to a friend. Taking short micro breaks throughout the day can also help reduce stress so block them into your diary even if it just to do some deep breathing exercises in the bathroom! 

Practice time management

Proper time management can help you stay on top of your workload and reduce stress. Prioritize your tasks daily and break them down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Ask yourself what is the most important and urgent things on your list today? (And no that does not mean everything!) Also reflect on who you can delegate some work too? We waste so much time trying to multitask (like writing a report / chatting / checking emails etc) so we lose our focus and things only get half done! Remember, one task at a time, one step at a time, one thing at a time…. 

Talk to your Tribe

Confide and talk to a trusted co-worker, friend, or family member about your stress. Part of feeling stressed is believing that you are the only one which can make things feel even worse. They may be able to offer advice or simply lend a listening ear.

Practice self-care out of work

Yes, there is more to your life than work and taking care of yourself outside of work can help you better manage stress in the workplace. Connect with those you care about, engage in activities that bring you joy, get outside in nature and do not forget to spend precious time doing nothing -at- all! 

Set boundaries

Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. Turn those notifications off and try to avoid checking work emails or taking calls outside of work hours. 

Seek professional help

Know that you are not alone and if your stress is severe and impacting your daily life, do consider speaking with a professional. They can provide additional support and guidance. 

If you're struggling to manage stress and overcome burnout, working with an experienced coach can be an incredibly effective solution. As an accredited coach, I'm here to help you navigate these challenges and create positive change in your life. With a free 30-minute coaching discovery session, you can learn more about how I can support you in managing stress, recovering from burnout, and improving your overall wellbeing. 

Book a free 30 min coaching discovery session today and take the first step towards a healthier, happier you.