4 Simple Habits to Harness Stress

 S-t-r-e-s-s: a five-letter word that raises your blood pressure, throws work-life balance off-kilter, and generally makes you miserable. No one likes to be stressed, especially in the workplace. Fortunately, there are simple habits you can employ to harness stress. 

Incorporate these four tips into your daily routine to reduce stress and restore work-life balance. 

1. Recognize Burnout 

The first step to conquering work-related stress is actually recognizing that you’re stressed. Some signs of stress include high blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia, and the inability to not think about work. Once you acknowledge you’re suffering from ‘burnout’, then you can address the source. 

According to the American Psychological Association (APA) the most common sources of work-related stress include:

●Excessive workload.

●Unclear performance expectations.

●Lack of support.

●Low salary.

If these stressors sound familiar to you, rest assured, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are simple ways to counteract them such as focusing on the positives, recharging your batteries, and establishing boundaries.

2. Focus on the Positives 

Perhaps you can’t lessen your workload or get a salary increase right now, but you can focus on the positive aspects of your job. Maybe you have a spacious desk with a window view, or your office just got a Keurig (lucky you!). Another scenario, you work long hours, but your company provides generous vacation/PTO packages, thus, giving you something to look forward to.

By focusing on the positive, you’re distracting yourself from the negative. And the Mayo Clinic reports that positive thinking results in lower levels of distress and provides better coping skills. Win-win.

 3. Take Time to Recharge Your Batteries

Try to build into your work schedule time to relax. Whether it’s getting away from your desk for a brief five-minute walk or going to the gym during your lunch break, you’ll be giving yourself a much needed break. 

Can’t get away from your desk? Vicki Hess, author of SHIFT to Professional Paradise, recommends taking a deep breath. The simple act of taking a deep breath allows you to both calm yourself and make more rational decisions.

4. Establish Boundaries: Leave Your Work at Work 

At the end of the day, once you step outside that office door, unplug from ‘the Matrix.’ Resist the temptation to check emails or answer calls. Instead, restore work-life balance by spending your downtime with your family and friends, or enjoying hobbies.

However, it’s important to note that while some jobs don’t permit completely shutting off, you can make yourself less readily available. Don’t immediately answer the call, or respond only in emergencies. 

And for those who have a good working relationship with their supervisor, don’t be afraid to share your stress concerns. Your manager may be able to work something out like flexibility with working from home or comp time to offset a heavy workload.  

Special thanks to Melissa Duko.