Stress-busting strategies for lasting tranquility at work
What's the story
Answering multiple calls while you're already in the middle of a deadline, and that fear of being called in a high pitch! Well, we all know the story.
Workplace stress has become an unwelcome companion for countless professionals.
Juggling overwhelming workloads, constant interruptions, and the looming uncertainty of corporate restructuring, the quest for relief has never been more critical.
Here's how you can cope.
Narrative
Change your story
Workplace stress is often shaped by personal interpretations, leading to self-doubt.
Experts advise professionals to adopt a more objective stance, reducing the tendency to take work events personally.
Dr. Sharon Melnick, a business psychologist, shared an anecdote illustrating how shifting from defensiveness to collaborative problem-solving transformed a client's outlook. This underscores the narrative's impact in fostering understanding, as highlighted in her Forbes interview.
Act
Act, don't react
Stress often comes when things feel beyond control, leading to the release of harmful stress hormones. Finding what's manageable and letting go of what's not can help.
The trick is to be responsible for what you can manage, about 50% and focus on actions and responses.
Changing how you act, and being more in charge, can help lower stress.
Interruptions
Eliminate interruptions
We often find ourselves besieged by incessant interruptions, posing a direct threat to focus and productivity.
A strategic approach to handling interruptions is to accept, cut off, or diagnose importance and plan accordingly.
By setting predefined criteria for responses, individuals gain a semblance of control over their work environment. Establishing boundaries, like specific email response times can empower you to navigate workflow.
Schedule
Routine your day for energy and focus
Challenge the conventional "push, push, push" approach to the workday, and schedule breaks strategically to optimize productivity.
It is also recommended to concentrate intensely for 90 minutes followed by brief recovery periods.
This not only alleviates stress but also rejuvenates energy levels. By incorporating mindful breaks into the daily routine, you can enhance focus, mitigate stress, and strike a healthier work-life balance.
Self-imposed
Stop self-imposed stress
Stop the self-imposed stress by fostering self-confidence instead of constantly seeking external approval.
Micromanaging others' perceptions can lead to stress caused by minutiae or procrastination.
Shifting focus from external perceptions to the intrinsic value of the work itself can enhance productivity and reduce stress.
By understanding the futility of obsessing over others' opinions, you can redirect your energy towards meaningful work, naturally impressing them.