Stress is often called the silent killer, for a good reason. It’s estimated to contribute to around 2.8 million deaths every year, many of which have been linked to long work hours and excessive workloads.
During Stress Awareness Month this April, it’s important for us to shine a light on the importance of self-care and stress reduction, especially in the workplace.
Keep reading to discover one of our favorite mental health tips that can help make a real difference in the way you can manage stressful situations!
What Is Stress, Really?
We all say, “I’m so stressed out!” But what does stress really mean? When placed in difficult or high-pressure situations, our brain releases two hormones: adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones trigger a “fight-or-flight” response, which is essential for human survival.
In small doses, stress can be helpful. It motivates us, helps us meet deadlines, and pushes us to adapt. However, when stress becomes chronic or excessive, it can have very serious negative effects on both our mental and physical health. Prolonged stress has even been linked to serious conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer.
Workplace Stress
For many of us, the workplace can be a major source of stress. Long hours, tight deadlines, and high expectations, all take a toll on our mental health. It can even follow us home, affecting our sleep, relationships, and overall well-being.
However, the good news is, with the right tools and right mindset, we do have the ability to take control and reduce the effects of stress in our lives.
5 Ways to Manage Workplace Stress
- Work Life Balance
Finding balance between work responsibilities and the things you enjoy are crucial for managing stress. Making time for things in your life that reduce anxiety and bring you joy can help increase productivity when you’re back in the workplace.
- Take Regular Breaks
Taking short breaks throughout the day can help reduce mental fatigue. Even a 5 minute walk to catch your breath can do wonders for your mental health.
- Set Boundaries
It’s important to set physical, emotional and mental boundaries with management and coworkers in the workplace. Learning how to politely say “no” to any non-essential tasks or when you have too much on your plate can make a world of a difference. Setting boundaries can even be as simple as turning off your work notifications after hours.
- Avoiding Gossip
Gossip is a pillar of negativity, not only does it cause strains in relationships and the increase of tension in the workplace, but it also causes us to become hyperaware of our own behavior, making us much more harsh on ourselves and our actions. Avoiding gossip in the workplace can help us build healthier relationships with ourselves and others.
- Seek Support
Don’t be afraid to reach out to colleagues, friends, or professionals when stress feels overwhelming. Sometimes, even just talking it out with someone you trust can make all the difference!
Precede’s Most Underrated Mental Health Tip: Embrace The Stuck!
Becoming comfortable with discomfort can bring massive amounts of growth in our ability to handle stress when unexpected challenges arise. Make it a habit to continuously try new things that push your boundaries, whether that’s learning a new skill, speaking up in meetings, or taking on a project that intimidates you.
Ask yourself, is there one thing I can do today, even if it’s small, that will challenge me?
This Stress Awareness Month, let’s commit to managing stress in the workplace so we can better create healthier, happier, and more productive environments for everyone.
If you need more tips or resources on managing stress, our team at Precede is here to help! You can sign up for our workplace mental health programs over on our website www.precedeohs.com