How To Reduce Stress At Work
Stress, depression and anxiety is one of the leading cause of illness related absense from work. 75% of the population feels stressed at least once every fortnight.
Step 1: Time Management
To avoid your in tray piling up and your out tray looking baron, effective time management can help. If you're being drowned by demands, write a checklist of what's most important and work through it. Don't avoid the tricky things on the list and don't flit between them. Deal with them one at a time, giving your sole attention to each one. If something is put on your desk you don't like, deal with it immediately rather than stewing about it.
Step 2: Learn to say NO!
Don't be afraid to say 'NO'. If you're swamped with paperwork, taking on more will only elevate your stress. It's going to make you look more in control if you calmly explain that you can't achieve something with a clear explanation of why, than if you accept it and then never get around to doing it, or worse still you do it badly.
Step 3: Avoid conflict
Don't get involved in things that don't concern you. Even if you think you might be helping, it can be the start of unnecessary stress for you. If someone starts taking their anger out on you, walk away assess the situation and then react. Do not act on your initial instincts as these may be unreasonable.
Step 4: Delegate
Know exactly what your role is and pass things on if you can. You don't have to be a hero. By doing fewer tasks to a good standard you'll look better than doing more things badly. Make sure you give clear instructions when you delegate as this will save time in the long run.
Step 5: Relax & Recharge
Take 5 minutes to rest if you start to feel a build up of tension. Walk away from your desk and do something different. Offering to do the tea round or taking a brisk stroll round the block are good ways to clear your mind. If you and your work mates are all stressed you could devise a quick office Olympics in your lunch hour.
Step 6: Talk about problems
Talk to someone you trust. If things are getting on top of you or you're starting to feel harassed, don't just bottle it up - talk about it. Often when you're stressed you blow things out of proportion, getting an objective opinion will help you to gain some perspective.
Step 7: Comfort
Make sure your work space is comfortable and well suited to your daily needs in the office. If you can, make room for a couple of personal items which make you feel calm, like a family photo or holiday souvenir, but don't let them take over the desk! Being comfortable will ease the aches and pains stress can cause. Please also see VideoJug's "How to do basic deskercise" for more tips on elevating those annoying niggles.
