Even if you love your job, it can still leave you feeling stressed. many causes of work-related stress can be anticipated however, enabling you to enjoy a more relaxed day.
Stress in the office builds up when you have a heavy work load, hours and tight deadlines, conflict with colleagues or your boss, or a lack of support or advice.
Unpleasant working conditions such as crowding, constant interruptions,noise pollution or not enough natural light, may also contribute to work-related stress.
Recognising the problem
It is often hard to accept that our own attitudes can contribute to stress at work, if you’re an achiever, you may have a calende crammed far too full of activies. If you find it hard to say “NO”, you may be over extended or overwhelmed. If you are a perfectionist you may find it hard to delegate work to other people. These sources of stress can be overcome by managing your time better, being more assertive and improving your communication skills.
Simple Work Stress Busters
No matter how much work you have to do, it’s always good to take a 5 minute brake between tasks. This gives you a chance to wind down and literally catch your breath. A stress relieving tonic tea can also ease frazzled nerves.
A stress tonic tea recipe:
1. Take three teaspoons each of fresh Dandelion and Nettle, and one each of fresh Blackcurrant and Borage leaves.
2. Mix together in a tea strainer, and leave to infuse in boiling water for 5 minutes. Strain and sweeten the tea with Lemon and Honey.
3. Stay in the kitchen and stir the mixture while it’s infusing. Focusing on making the tonicwill help to relax youas much as drinking it will.
4. While you’re in the kitchen, you’ll also be breathing in the aromaof the infusing herbs, allowing you to benefit from their soothing properties for longer.
Planning Your Stress-Free Work Day
The best way to ensure you enjoy a stress-free day is to plan your time carefully. Don’t rush things and make sure you leave yourself enough time to relax.
Have a stress-free start
Make sure you start the day in the right frame of mind. get up early and give yourself plenty of time to get ready. Running for the bus at the last minute, trying to fix your make-up en route and arriving 30 seconds before the vital meeting starts, are all sure-fire way to begin the day feeling flustered.
Keep your tasks in perspective
Break your day into a series of manageable tasks. Instead of thinking of the whole day as a whole, look at it as 10 seperate tasks, and place them in order of importance. If you complete 9 of them, not having time to complete the last one probably won’t matter.
Be honest about your capabilities
Learn to say “NO”. Be asservative about your needs, and don’t be affraid to ask for help when you need it. Your colleagues may not realise how much work you have- if you really don’t have time to take on another task, they will understand. Don’t be affrai to delegate if you don’t have time to deal with everything yourself.
Make sure you take your break
Have a propper lunch break- away from your desk. Eating healthy food rather than junk snacks will help to keep your stress levels dowm. Also, taking a break allows you to step back from any problems and will perhaps enable you to see a new way of dealing with them.
Admit to your mistakes
Take responsibility for your erros and admit to them as soon as they happen. Theres nothing more stressful than worrying about when your boss is going to find out about your slip up. Being honest about it will go a long way to making amends.
Tidy your desk
At the end of each day, take 5 minutes to tidy your desk. that way, you’ll know exactly where everything is in the morning and won’t waste time trying to rember where you left that vital memo.
Take credit when it is due
You have a right ot feel happy and proud of yoursel sometimes.Stressed people often don’t take the time to feel pride and pleasure in their own achievments. Tell your colleagues when your proud of yourself, and invite them to celcbrate.
Do a 10 minute stress-relief plan
If things do start to get on top of you, rember that you can always do the 10 minute stress relief plan.