Decode Your Stress At Workplace

 Pressure at the workplace is something unavoidable due to the high demands of modern life-style. There is a very thin line between work pressure and stress. Pressure at work helps an individual stay focused and energetic enough to meet new challenges which is necessary for him/her and the company. But, when the it becomes unmanageable or excessive, there comes Stress. Stress is merely an individual’s response to numerous factors like long working hours, heavy workload, overwhelming productivity demands from employers, stringent regulations at the workplace and above all always being connected to work due to mobile phones. Excessive stress not only leaves severe impairments on emotional and physical health, but also can ruin relationships and even hinder with the productivity and performance of an individual at work. It's so obvious that the causes of stress may be out of our hands, but our response to it can be.

To get more insight and find practical ways of how people handle it, I conducted a survey among 300+ professionals of various fields. More than 60% have mentioned that they had to work extended hours or weekends and they don’t have an option of denying. Here are more details based on the study, refer below 2 graphs.

                        

                         

According to the study conducted, more than 80% of the respondents reside in India. Does living in India contribute to the levels of stress? Of course, here in India, there’s more to it than work load. Right from long commutes, the snarling traffic, the worst condition of the roads, working weekends and along with all these no work-life balance; every single factor gets added up and becomes too much to cope with.

Here are few Health Warning Signs to find out if the stress levels are out of control; (refer below image)

                           

When already stress had started mounting at work, taking a quick break and recharging self can help things stay intact. Here are some quick Relaxing Techniques shared by the respondents during the survey, which they mentioned they follow at their workplace.

Scheduling quick breaks now and then helps maintaining steady focus throughout the day. Switching Off from work and physically moving away from that place was suggested by many and is an effective practice to keep the energy meter high. Going for a coffee break, talking to people around, a Rubik’s cube, playing indoor games like table tennis and carom also helps ease anxiety. Couple of respondents have even mentioned fidget spinner helped with their stress levels to a great extent. Soft techniques such as meditation, taking a few long inhales (deep breathes), listening to music etc provide a state of calmness and helps stress melt away rejuvenating both mind and body.

Learning to deal with anxiety and neutralizing it can be easier than trying to change the environment itself.  Certain simple day-to-day practices, positive habits and regulations can play a vital role keeping stress levels in control. Every individual is different, and so are the ways. With practice you’ll be able to find out which works good for you. Here are few more simple and effective Tips To Overcome Stress.

1. Sharing your stress with someone can be very effective. Have a face to face conversation with someone whom you trust and who can understand you. Talking it out can be a highly effective way for blowing off the steam and remain sane.
2. Build good friendship with people who are appreciative, who value you and who make you feel better with their companionship. At times, it is important to put life on hold for a short while to nurture the relationships that keep you happy and healthy.
3. Make time for regular exercise. While exercising, body releases hormones that control stress. Exercises like walking, jogging, biking, dancing, aerobics, swimming or badminton will be highly effective as it increases the energy level and relaxes both mind and body. Yoga and breathing are also equally good to help stay focused and relaxed.
4. Having a regular habit of calling your family and talking to them for a while will help divert mind from work related tension and strengthen the bond. Even a small conversation can lift the mood and energize, reaping immediate benefits.
5. Do not over-commit. Scheduling back-to-back tasks or trying to fit too much on a single day will make the stress levels take a toll. Instead try prioritizing works or delegating responsibilities, to regain a sense of control over the job.
6. Eat and Sleep Right. Healthy and nutritious food along with adequate sleep can cut down the stress levels, boost self-esteem and help you do your best at work.

Learning to ignore the aspects which are out of control and focusing on what you can control like effort, attitude, relationships, food habits, sleep and health. By taking care of these, stress levels can be kept in a healthy range, and you can do real wonders at your workplace.

Have a great trick to reduce stress in the workplace? Let us know in the comments below.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this post are the personal views of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Momspresso.com (formerly mycity4kids). Any omissions or errors are the author's and Momspresso does not assume any liability or responsibility for them.