How to Combat Workplace Stress
Don't let work stress take a toll on your health and efficiency. Learn effective ways to manage it with our tips. Stay positive and productive!
It’s normal to be subjected to stress at work, whether you’re employed or running your own business. Stress accumulates as you solve problems, deal with customer complaints, deal with different personalities of colleagues, meet quotas, and try to achieve business goals.
At some point in time, that accumulated work stress can result in undesirable things for you and the work environment. You get sick, you lose focus, and you become more inefficient. Stressed colleagues can be annoying, display unwanted behavior, and can create a negative work environment.
Fortunately, there are ways to alleviate work-related stress to ensure that you’re always in tip-top shape physically, mentally, and psychologically. Let’s check out how you can deal with stress.
Ways to Reduce Stress at Work
Here are some easy tips to lessen work-related stress.
Use ergonomic computer peripherals.
Ergonomic tools and equipment can help alleviate work stress thanks to their smart design and engineering. They are designed for comfort, safety, and injury prevention. Take for instance the Kinesis Advantage 2 Ergonomic Keyboard. The contoured structure, split-type design, and smart arrangement of the keys put your hands, wrists, forearms, and shoulders in a natural and neutral position when you type. You’ll be able to work longer and more efficiently in comfort.
Along with your keyboard, another ergonomic peripheral to consider is your mouse, which you’ll be using often. The Goldtouch USB Comfort Mouse is a must-have on your workstation. It positions your wrist to a natural 24-degree angle, which reduces strain and prevents repetitive stress injury.
Use ergonomic office furniture.
Along with your computer peripherals, you would also need to be in an ergonomic work environment to reduce work-related stress. Foremost is your office chair where you spend most of your day sitting. The Humanscale Diffrient World’s all mesh-design adapts to your body, hugging you in comfort and reducing pressure points. It also provides good support on your lumbar area to relieve pressure after a prolonged sitting position.
Stand up.
Do you know that standing allows you to make your work more effective and focus better while reducing back pressure? Stand up once in a while to relieve pressure and strain from your body. If your job entails that you need to be constantly on your workstation, then you would probably need the Goldtouch EasyLift Pro Sit Stand Desk With Keyboard Tray. You can raise your entire work system---multiple monitors, keyboard, and mouse---with a simple upward pull. Thus, you can seamlessly transition from a sitting position to a standing position and vice versa.
The keyboard tray and monitor arms are also adjustable, so you can position them according to your needs and preferences.
Keep track of your stressors.
List down feelings and situations that create stress. Do you consider your work environment toxic? Do you dislike a particular person? Do you feel nervous due to your boss’s attitude? Then record how you reacted to them. Did you get angry? Munched on a huge snack? Went for a walk? By taking notes of your stressors and your reactions, you can find patterns and identify the best ways to deal with those patterns.
Take a break.
Burnout, exhaustion, boredom, and inefficiency are just some of the results of chronic work-related stress. Left unchecked, chronic stress could have a negative effect on health. Recharge your batteries by taking a break. Take a long vacation, engage in a hobby, party with friends, and do something non-work related. Switch off your phone or tell colleagues that you don’t want to be disturbed for the duration of your vacation. You’ll feel energized and reinvigorated after you unwind from work.
Take time to relax at work.
Remember you’re not a machine. Make sure you take your work breaks. Go for a walk outside the office. Do some meditation or deep breathing exercises. Talk to a colleague about non-work-related stuff. Take a big lunch. Taking advantage of your work breaks and relaxing while you’re at it can melt away stress.
The Impact of Workplace Stress
A certain degree of work stress is normal and even useful at work. However, too much stress can be detrimental to the individual and the work environment. Here are some negative effects of chronic workplace stress.
- negative effects on the health of employees/absenteeism
- anxiety, depression, and other emotional effects
- loss of concentration, morale, and motivation
- poor decision making
- toxic work environment
- increased employee complaints
- poor interoffice relations
- high employee turnover
- poor performance and productivity
Conclusion
Stress is expected at work. However, it’s up to you how to manage it so you can live and work with a positive attitude. The tips mentioned above should keep your stress level under control.
Check also our How to Avoid a Sedentary Lifestyle for more helpful tips at work.
