“Work-life balance.” These are the words that most individuals often use to emphasize the need to focus both on work and personal responsibilities. However, aiming for a work-life balance takes a lot of effort given our everyday stressors such as long queues, mounting bills, traffic jams and more.
While it’s hard to acknowledge the impact of stress on our behavior, it is essential to pay attention to how stress affects our decision-making process, particularly in managing tasks and responsibilities at work.
A constant atmosphere of stress can lead to giving up on the goals you want to achieve. There is a higher chance of developing unhealthy habits while being stressed at work, resulting in physical health issues like hypertension, GERD, acid reflux, or fatigue.
However, some individuals have learned the other way. They remain calm and composed even during heated arguments with their employers or clients. They manage to accomplish tasks to a high standard without sacrificing quality.
We can shift our mindset and approach these stressors from a different angle. By doing so, we can not only reduce the negative impact of stress on our physical and mental health but also find new opportunities for growth and learning.
Defining stress management
Stress arises from the interaction of our bodies and minds with pressure, and its impact can vary depending on how we perceive a situation and our ability to cope with it. Unfortunately, many people fall victim to stress due to their mindset. Some individuals allow stress to linger and worsen, leading to the adoption of unhealthy lifestyles.
It is necessary to practice healthy coping mechanisms even though stress can also be a motivator to overcome challenges in the workplace. You can feel some physical symptoms such as lower back pain or heartburn anytime, but there are ways to reduce this risk to maintain a productive work culture.
Stress management refers to the strategies and techniques that can be used to effectively cope with stress and the challenges of daily life. By developing and utilizing these tools, individuals can reduce the negative impact of stress on their physical and mental health, and promote overall well-being.
There are numerous ways in which stress management can be beneficial. Here are four examples:
Identifying your stressor or the cause of stress
It is common for the corporate world to have papers piled up on the table, some employers pass their emotions to their subordinates, and multi-tasking becomes an overwhelming skill. But as time goes by, your body starts to drain its energy and you become less productive at work due to exhaustion, anxiety, dizziness, and even develop serious heart conditions.
Take breaks and allow your body to reset and carefully identify the root cause of your stressors, no matter how small they may seem to manage your workload and avoid burnout.
Perform physical and relaxation activities
Performing physical and relaxation activities can help reduce stress by releasing tension in the body. However, there are people who might not be able to do much physical work because of high blood pressure as it may trigger some recurring illnesses. Some indulge themselves with snacks and sweets but ignore the level of sugar intake or high cholesterol regardless if they are obese or not.
Nonetheless, there are various physical activities that can help alleviate stress, including yoga, walking, swimming, and other forms of exercise. Meanwhile, relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness can be performed with minimal physical movements.
Practice cognitive techniques
Cognitive functions such as understanding, self-awareness, planning, problem-solving, and creativity, among others, enable individuals to learn new things and make informed decisions. However, past experiences may influence these cognitive functions and impact one's ability to manage stress, particularly for individuals who have experienced stroke or diabetes.
Despite these challenges, there are simple cognitive techniques that can be used to manage stress. These include starting a diary or journal, pampering oneself, counseling, discussing emotions and feelings with your trusted colleagues, and practicing time management.
Schedule a visit with your doctor
Even if one appears composed in a difficult situation, there may still be inner turmoil that affects the mind and body. Some people may experience an increase in blood pressure and digestive disorders without realizing it. It is important to remember that a doctor can help in managing stress and provide the appropriate medication to prevent the need for generic medicine.
Conclusion
Today’s fast-paced work environment values progress and development but affects the stress levels of employees who work around the clock. As individuals, it is important to prioritize our well-being through stress management. So that at the end of the day, everyone becomes more productive, live a healthy lifestyle and a better self.
