Strategies for Managing Stress in the
Workplace

Knowing the strategies for managing stress in the workplace can help you feel more at peace and find the time for other areas you enjoy in life.

Find Strategies for Managing Stress in the Workplace

Finding strategies for managing stress in the workplace is necessary if you find yourself stressed out and suffering from burn out. While there are several different stress relievers out there, finding ones that are specifically targeted towards work stress may be something of a challenge. The best way to do so is to determine what the problem is and then implement a stress reducing strategy to deal with it.

Bad Boss

There are many reasons why a supervisor may get you down. Perhaps he/she refuses to see your talents and continually bypasses you when it comes to promotions, he/she may have questionable ethics, or you may just have the sneaky suspicion that your boss just doesn't like you. These are common complaints in the workplace, so you are not alone. Here's what you can do:

• Demonstrate talent: No matter your field, demonstrate your particular brand of talent every chance you get. Great at meeting deadlines? Then take on timed projects. Are you creative? Then find a creative way to save your company money.

It is possible that your supervisor doesn't realize that he or she is under utilizing your talents. If you've already done this, then set up a meeting to discuss your future goals with the company. Your supervisor might just surprise you.

• Use human resources: Human resources helps tackle ethical concerns, so utilize this department of your company. Is "tattling" on your supervisor a slippery slope? Yes. That's why you need to have hair tight evidence before proceeding.

• Can't we all just get along?: Rodney King famously asked this question, and unfortunately, in a world where many are irrational, and closed and narrow-minded, the answer is sometimes no. Try to get along with your supervisor. If you just can't, you may have to find another job.

Too Much Work

During economic times when money is tight, companies usually cutback. Even if you are lucky enough to have a job, you may find that you're stressed out because you are now picking up all the slack; you are doing your job, plus the job of a co-worker.

While tough, try to see this as a tremendous growth opportunity. Are you learning any new skills? Dealing with prestigious new clients? Arranging travel arrangements? If these are new tasks, make sure your resume reflects this change.

If you end up getting laid off, you are now more diversified. If the company keeps you, parlay these skills into a new role or a raise. You can create a win-win situation.

Gossipy Co-Workers

Gossipy co-workers are not just an annoyance, but they can also be a distraction that negatively impacts the quality of your work production. If it's the former, it's best to just take a few deep breaths and deal with it.

If it's a serious problem, speak to them. Ask your colleagues, in a very discreet and non threatening way, to stop. Tell them know that what they have to say is fascinating, but that you are having a very hard time concentrating on what they are saying and getting your work done.

Ask them if they'd like do lunch so that they can fill you in a little later in the day. You do have the right to speak to your supervisor about it, but if you do so, don't be surprised if there are hurt feelings, or even worse - retaliation.

Time Management

By far, the largest complaint most people have is that work takes up too much time and that the weekend isn't long enough to enjoy all of the things they love. This may be true, but unless you win the lottery, the odds are good that you need to work. The only way to give yourself a little more breathing room is by having good time management skills. These tips may help:

Prep For Dinner

It's easy to reach for the phone for dinner, and occasional take out is not a problem, but if you eat take out more than once a week, it's time to take action. Use Sundays (or any day that works for you) to plan out all of the meals for the upcoming week and prep (slice and dice veggies and freeze them, cut up meat, etc.) as necessary. Your wallet, not to mention your waistline, will thank you.

Multitask

Multitasking is not very good when you need to concentrate on something, but it's a great tool when it comes to chores. Put the laundry on as soon as you get home from work, spend time with the family and after dinner, go back, and fold it.

Even better, why not make phone calls and catch up with friends while folding that laundry, or if applicable, ask your spouse to help you? This will allow the two of you to sneak in some quality "flirting" time.

Putting It All Together

Finally, it may sound counterintuitive, but if you don't take time for yourself, you are more likely to feel frazzled and irritable. In light of this, it pays to make sure that you spend some time doing something that you enjoy. This way, when life gets really tough and it's time to go to the well, the well will be full.

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