With one in 14 adults in the UK experiencing work-related stress every single day, it is important to find methods which can benefit us when handling responsibilities and our stress levels in the workplace.
As April was Stress Awareness month, our team discussed tips and tricks we use to manage stress in the workplace. There’s not one ideal way to handle stress, so we hope at least one of the recommendations below will be useful to you!
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Use energy management to prioritise your tasks like Jenna (Operations Manager)
“Personally, when I get stressed (usually when I’m overwhelmed), I think of why I’m doing what I’m doing and the consequences of what will happen if I don’t. That usually makes me motivated enough to prioritise what needs to be done. I then look at energy management. I group similar activities together so my brain can process similar tasks in a particular timeframe. By grouping things together, then prioritising them, I’ve mentally spring-cleaned the things that are clogging my productivity, and by emphasising my purpose, I can focus with a sense of pride – What I’m doing matters.” – Jenna
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Take regular breaks and breathers like Rinku (HR Manager)
“Usually when I am feeling overwhelmed at work and can’t decide what I need to get done first, I actually take a 2-minute break. I have an app on my phone where I can do a one-minute deep breathing exercise. This helps me calm my mind and come back to my list of tasks with a calm mind and I can then process the importance of the tasks and prioritise them accordingly.”– Rinku
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Set boundaries and make time for fun activities like Laura (Project Manager)
“When I’m stressed, I try to set boundaries like turning off my phone after hours, say no (withinreason) to tasks I can’t take on. I also make time for the things I enjoy like going for walk, speaking to friends, reading, sports, and TV. Also, make sure I take my breaks.” – Laura
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Destress and clear your mind with outdoor and mind activities like Millie (Mental health Project Assistant) and Josh (Research Lead)
“I find that when I’m stressed, I can feel it in my body, so I try and get it out through yoga, going on a walk or just moving my body in any way. I also find meditation very helpful as it can feel like a reboot, but as I can’t sit still for very long without getting restless, having something to do with my hands helps, like crotchet or even just something to fidget with. I’m also mindful of when I first feel stress and allow myself to sit with it; stress isn’t always a bad thing as it can tell us what we need to do or change”- Millie
“I like to take myself out of the office/house. I like to get out on a hike or mtb (Mountain Bike). Fresh air and a good think helps to clear my head and see things more clearly.”- Josh
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From to-do lists to what’s bothering you – write it all down like Stacey (Project Coordinator)
“My strategies for coping with stress include writing things down, whether that’s ranting in a journal or listing all the things I need to do & then prioritise them (with a smaller daily list that doesn’t feel as overwhelming.) I also like to go for a heavy workout. Escaping into fantasy fiction is also great for me, and cuddling the cats always chills me out. Chatting to someone can also help to make what’s in my head feel less stressful” – Stacey
Helplines are always available if you need to speak about your feelings and any stress-related problems in the workplace you are facing.
Check out these resources to have a chat with someone:
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
Call: 0800 58 58 58 or try the CALM webchat service - Anxiety UK
Call: 03444 775 774 - No more panic
https://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/
Written by Anisa Begum
For Aspire4u CIC,
The Mindset-Led Organisation
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