Dealing with Work-Related Stress
The many faces of stress in the workplace
Work-related stress comes in many forms — from being overloaded with daily tasks and expectations, to bullying, dissatisfaction, difficult working relationships, and fear of redundancy. What does this lead to? A feeling of dread going into work.
You wake up and anxiety may take a hold of you. Simple everyday things become too much to cope with, and as a result it starts affecting your self-esteem, sleeping, eating, intimacy, and even your relationships with family and friends.
In 2021, it was found that work-related matters were one of the top three sources of stress. This tells us that while work-related stress is common, workplaces are struggling to address it. But there are things you can do about it.
What you can do today to help it
1) Create a pre-work ritual — Time in the morning is often sacred, whether it’s rushing the kids to school, getting caught in traffic, or rushing for the morning train. So, by the time we get to work, we’re already stressed. Try and carve out a few moments in the morning that are just for you. It could be as simple as a coffee, or as outgoing as a walk around the block. The important thing is that it’s your time. If you can start your day in control, you’ll find that it eases the stresses that come your way at work.
2) Walk at lunch — It’s amazing how fast time can go by when we’re stuck inside all day. And especially in these colder, winter months, those daylight hours become few far between. It’s been proven that spending time in green space can greatly improve stress, anger, and make you feel more relaxed. So, even if it’s a quick walk to get your lunch, take a little detour and give your mind that little bit of space it needs for a mindset refresh.
3) Reward yourself — Perfectionism is a trap, and you can’t do everything perfectly all the time — especially in a busy, fast-paced job. Instead, try to do your best and reward yourself on your efforts and small wins. By focusing on the positives, you’re no longer tied up in self-deprecating thoughts.
How counselling can help you take control
You may not want to talk to your family, friends or colleagues at work about what is going on. You may not even know where to start for fear of the reactions you may get. There could be a part of you that feels you’re failing or letting people down if you open up a vulnerability that you don’t want to show to others, or even yourself.
Counselling can be that safe and confidential space for you to talk openly. Together, we can explore the areas causing your stress and if there are any other factors effecting how you view your working life. And in time, we will have explored and found a manageable, progressive way forward to a more fulfilling life at work.