Well-designed, organised and managed work is generally good for us but when insufficient attention to job design, work organisation and management has taken place, it can result in Work related stress.
Work related stress develops because a person is unable to cope with the demands being placed on them. Stress, including work related stress, can be a significant cause of illness and is known to be linked with high levels of sickness absence, staff turnover and other issues such as lack of focus, inferiority complex, low productivity, more errors etc.
While some workplace stress is normal, excessive stress can interfere with your productivity and impact your physical and emotional health. And your ability to deal with it can mean the difference between success or failure. You can’t control everything in your work environment, but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless—even when you’re stuck in a difficult situation. Finding ways to manage workplace stress isn’t about making huge changes or rethinking career ambitions, but rather about focusing on the one thing that’s always within your control: YOU.
Here are some tips to help you to get out of you work stress:
1. Plan your day’s work:
On entering your workplace, first plan out your work and then work out your plan, on a priority basis. Important task should be finished in the morning and later in the afternoon routine kind of work could be attended to.
2. Take small break in between.
Take at least 5 minutes of break after having worked for an hour or so at a stretch. Just go out and see the nature, or watch plants and flowers in the garden, or drink some water and get back to your seat once again. In addition, take few deep breaths 3 to 4 times a day which relieves your stress immediately.
This type of small break is like recharging your system to work with greater efficiency and strength once again.
3. Delegate the work:
Delegate some portion of your work to others when you are supposed to perform many activities at a time. Delegation is the best method through which work can be shared with subordinates to perform. The work so delegated should be supervised periodically.
4. Break the task:
If you have a big task to be performed in the workplace don’t get tensed. Instead, break it into smaller ones and accomplish the task stage by stage. It will also help you in reviewing your work simultaneously.
5. Procrastination should be avoided:
Try to finish the task as and when it is required. Postponement of work leads to lot of stress one day when the entire pending work is to be finished.
6. Keep things in an organised way:
Keep things at appropriate places instead of throwing papers and files haphazardly. If you don’t get what you what at a particular point of time, you will get stress. Also keep your work area clean and neat before you leave office every day. Don’t flood your table with papers and files.
7. Don’t under-estimate yourself:
Do not underestimate your caliber by thinking negatively, like “I may not be able to finish this work,” or “I don’t think it is possible for me to complete the task,” etc. Always, think positively, have faith in your ability and get courage and confidence to complete the task. This positive way of thinking will go a long way in accomplishing the task quickly and efficiently.
8. Don’t be a workaholic:
Give importance to your health by taking time to eat food, to go out for a walk and to sleep, etc., at appropriate timing. Take some break in the office after having done work at a stretch for a long time. Don’t neglect your health which is more important than anything else. Unless your health is good, you cannot function effectively.