Top 10 Strategies to beat Stress at Work
Stress is a good thing. It is our body’s defense mechanism that helps all creatures deal with danger. It triggers the production of hormones like Adrenalin and Cortisol that increase heart rate, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. This gives the energy to fight or run away from danger. Stress, therefore, is nature’s way to save and protect… Let’s see how to deal with stress at work.
But in the case of humans, stress is generated even when the danger is not real. Imaginary threats and fears, created by an overactive and sensitive mind, create the same stress response as when facing real danger. High levels of hormones that result, cause permanent and chronic illnesses like Diabetes, Hypertension, and Coronary Heart Disease. A young man instead of leading a happy and enjoyable life becomes a patient.
Most of the stress of modern-day living comes from our workplaces. With people spending 10 to 12 hours at work, this stress eats into the body, leaving the individual damaged and unproductive. Our offices and workplaces are silent killers.
But this need not be. We must enjoy work. The tensions that come at work must be like the tension in a watch spring – giving the energy needed to work efficiently. But how does one stop being negatively stressed at work? Here are 10 stress-busting philosophies and practices that always work.
Your Time is yours – don’t give it away
You should ideally work only for eight hours a day. At a maximum of nine hours, with at least one hour in between for relaxation. Working continuously, worrying all the time about work is the first cause of work stress.
Be the best – always on top of your work
Those who excel in their work don’t feel stressed by it. They are ahead of others and therefore not under time pressure. As their work is good, there is less criticism. Good work also gives them greater self-confidence.
Be prepared to walk away
If after all you do, the workplace is toxic and stressful – Quit. It is not worth staying in a company that doesn’t appreciate your work. You will always find a better job.
Detach from Your work
Don’t let your office be the center point of your life. Work efficiently and well. Take pride in your work, but stay detached. Life is not just your work. You are not defined by your work alone. Your work should be seen as only one of the many things that define you as a person.
Be Creative – then it doesn’t leave time for stress
A person who is full of ideas, always thinking of the next thing to do, has no time to feel frustrated at a job. Develop many interests – a hobby, sports, another skill. Cultivate curiosity as a value. You will find that stress is powerless over you.
Refuse to allow any boss to ‘boss’ over you
Your boss is only a structural position in a hierarchy. He or she is not God or the devil. He or she is also trying to earn a living like you. Both of you are employees in the organization. Never forget this truth. Do not let any boss getaway by treating you like dirt.
Never argue – Walk away
You never win an argument by “arguing”. It only creates bitterness and stress. Both parties to an argument will stick to their stand. No one wins – only heartburn and stress results. In a discussion, if you sense that the heat is increasing – STOP. Don’t give the ‘argument’ more fuel – let the other person ‘win’. You will be less stressed and finally, when calm, the other person will start to see your point of view.
Hitch your wagon to a greater purpose
An eagle doesn’t fight over carrions. Don’t be petty. Don’t see your work from a current perspective. Have a greater purpose in your life- and consider your work as a means of achieving this. If you see your work in this manner, you will see that minor day-to-day frustrations don’t bother you. You have a long journey to traverse to worry about the stones on the path.
Rise above appraisals
Performance appraisal time is Stress -Time. If you get a bad appraisal, you get sad, depressed, angry, and stressed. If you get a good appraisal, you will be happy till you know that somebody has got a better rating than you. Then you get sad, depressed, angry, and stressed. As a mature person, refuse to be judged. Who is your boss to judge you? If he or she gives you a good rating, fine. If he or she gives you a bad rating – also fine because the boss is not able to see the good parts of you. The problem is his or hers.
This is the way you should treat appraisals. Be your own judge – don’t give anybody else that privilege. Break your shackles!
Laugh & bring Humor to work
Don’t take your job or yourself too seriously. Learn to laugh, crack jokes and enjoy work goof ups. The moment you start taking work as a big comedy show, with all of you playing part roles, you will start enjoying work tensions. They will lose the power to stress you out.
Our work lives must add to our wealth and peace of mind. If it starts interfering with our happiness, we need to be alert. Your happiness is your birth right. Don’t let stress at work take it away.