6 Ways to Manage Stress at Work When You Feel Overwhelmed
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Stress can come from many sources and a common one is work. Especially if you are in a different work situation right now, it can be difficult to manage stress at work, but it’s essential for your well-being.
Although managing stress at work can be difficult, it’s not impossible. Just take a deep breath and keep reading.
This post is going to give you six ways to manage stress at work when you feel overwhelmed.
1. Track your stressors
Tracking your triggers that cause you stress throughout the day is an important first step in managing stress.
Tracking your stress triggers will help you better identify how to address your stress and develop a plan to reduce your stress.
You can track your stress in several ways. One way to track your stress triggers is to keep a journal. Make note of when you felt particularly overwhelmed and what else was going on.
Journaling will also allow you to reflect on your day and give you a safe place to record thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
For more information on how to start journaling, read more here.
Another way to track your stress triggers is by using a fitness tracker. I recommend the Fitbit because their app allows you to track tons of health data, including stress and anxiety.
Within the app, you can record how you feel each day such as stressed, anxious, fatigue, happy, etc. This will allow you to go back and identify what else is going on during the days when you feel particularly stressed.
You can also identify things that may help reduce stress or anxiety. Maybe you notice on days when you exercise you feel happier. That’s good info to know as you build your stress management program!
2. Find healthy ways to manage stress
When you feel stressed and overwhelmed it can be easy to turn to alcohol, caffeine, food, etc. for comfort when you feel stressed.
And yes, once in awhile if you feel really stressed or sad after a long day of work, you eat that cake, girl!
But…it’s also important to find healthy outlets for your stressful energy, too.
Good examples of healthy ways to relieve stress are exercise, yoga, meditation, setting aside time to relax and have fun, and making time for self care.
Incorporate one or two of these into your daily routine. You’ll feel the greatest stress reduction impact when you perform stress relief activities on a consistent basis.
Click here to read more about establishing simple, healthy habits into your daily routine.
3. Make your work / life balance a priority
I know, plenty of people say work life balance doesn’t exist, but I think it can!
Make work life balance a priority and set aside both time to spend with loved ones but also time to spend relaxing and recovering mentally.
Another way to achieve work life balance is through setting boundaries. Give it your all when you’re at work, and then when you have time away from work try to be present in the moment.
Additionally, having hobbies or interests that bring you joy outside of work, will make your life will feel more balanced. That way, you can feel a sense of achievement both in and outside of work.
Click here to read more about achieving work life balance, even when you work from home.
4. Make your work environment relaxing
Your work environment can have a HUGE impact on your mental state.
Whether you work from home or in an office, set up your desk or work station in a way that is calming.
Keep things organized so you don’t have to worry or spend time trying to find things you need. Seeing a clean and organized work space everyday will feel more peaceful than one that’s a mess.
For more ways to make your desk calm and organized, read more here.
5. Don’t be afraid to take a breather
If you feel really stressed and overwhelmed in a given moment, give yourself a breather…literally.
Before you tackle the task that’s causing you stress, take five deep breaths.
Still feeling overwhelmed?
Take a five minute walk, drink some water, do some stretches, or go grab a snack. These things will help you clear your head and come back to your work with a fresh mind, more ready to tackle what’s in front of you.
Never feel guilty for taking a quick break from work. You’ll be more productive overall by taking the amount of rest and restoration time that you need.
6. Get some support
Finding support through friends and family you trust can be a great way to manage your stress.
Chances are they’ve experienced similar feelings, or are currently going through some similar, and you can share ideas to manage stress.
Additionally, if you feel stressed or overwhelmed it can be helpful to talk to a mental health professional.
Try finding a therapist in your area or locating a counselor online. The app, Sanity and Self, is a great self care app that gives you access to text or video chat online counselors 24/7. I really recommend it!
For more information on Sanity and Self, read more here.
Those are the six ways to manage stress at work when you feel overwhelmed.
The six tips above will help you manage stress at work and get your inner peace back on track. Stop feeling so overwhelmed by your work stress.
Remember, stress management may be difficult but it’s not impossible. You are already doing something good for yourself by reading this post, so you got this.
Comment below with your favorite stress management activity to manage stress at work.
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