Did you know that 65% of US employees consider work to be a significant source of stress? That’s a shame, especially seeing as most of us spend a huge chunk of our lives in the workplace.
Fortunately, if you’re struggling with stress at work, there are some things you can try to reduce that stress – or at least manage it better. With that in mind, here are 5 tips for dealing with stress at work.
1. Identify the Problem
The first step is to identify the cause of your stress. Take some time for introspection and try to figure out which aspect of work makes you feel anxious or stressed out. Is it your workload? Your colleagues? Your boss? Or something else?
Once you’ve found out what’s causing the stress, you can start to fix the problem.
2. Speak to Your Boss
The next step is to speak to your boss. If workload is the problem, let your boss know that you’re feeling overworked and it’s taking a toll on your mental health. If they’re a good boss, they’ll try to think of a solution that works for you. It might mean delegating some of your responsibilities to another member of staff.
Even if the problem is something other than workload, your boss could help. For example, if you think that it’s your colleagues that are causing you stress, perhaps your boss could move your office or switch teams.
3. Don’t Take Work Home With You
If you’re stressed out at work, you at least need to work on compartmentalizing that stress into your working hours. Don’t let it carry on at home. When you leave the office, leave work behind and try not to dwell on anything that happened. Just go home and relax
I know that this can be easier said than done sometimes. I’ve found that a great way to switch off from work is to do something you enjoy as soon as you finish, whether that’s read a book, watch a movie, or have a nice meal. Speaking of having a nice meal…
4. Watch Your Diet
You might think that work is the source of all your stress, but it could be that your diet is influencing your stress levels too. The food we eat has a big effect on our physiology and can impact our hormones in many ways. Try to start eating a healthier, more balanced diet and you might just see your stress levels drop.
5. Get More Sleep
On a similar note, you should try to sleep more too. Getting the right amount of shut-eye will help you to feel more energized and might make it easier to face work. After all, that mountain of paperwork might not seem so large when you’re not falling asleep at your desk!
To make sure you’re getting the right amount of sleep, set yourself a ‘bedtime’ and make sure you leave time to wind down before going to sleep. You can also try using supplements with relaxant properties like CBD, available from Cibdol, to help you to wind down. CBD has also been highlighted as possibly beneficial for stress relief, so it could help you to manage stress at work too!