5 Strategies to Overcome Work Stress

Let's be real: Work is never going to be 100% stress free. However, there's a line between certain tasks or projects lighting a fire beneath you and feeling like you're on fire all the time.

Let's take five minutes to see this week in a new light. By Wendy Rose Gould & Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind 5 Strategies to Overcome Work Stress     Let's be real: Work is never going to be 100% stress free. However, there's a line between certain tasks or projects lighting a fire beneath you and feeling like you're on fire all the time.   Needless to say, chronic work-related anxiety can take a serious toll on both your mental and physical health in the short and long term. Here's how to identify work stress and tips for finding better life-work balance.   Workplace anxiety is common—around 40% of Americans report feeling stressed during their workday."  — ARLIN CUNCIC, MA   Signs of Work Stress Work-related stress and anxiety is obvious sometimes, but that's not always the case. Here are a few other signs to be aware of: Dreading going to work and/or focusing on negative aspects of work Inability to concentrate at work Feeling like you can't keep up Excessive worrying about work tasks and deadlines even after hours Irritability at both work and in your personal life Mental and physical fatigue Sleep disruption Physical issues such as headaches, tension, dizziness, upset stomach, and headaches Short & Long Term Impacts Any sort of acute or chronic stress can impact our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. At a minute level, work-related anxiety can impact our work performance and relationship with colleagues. This stress can bleed into our personal lives, too, impacting our friendships, romantic partnerships, and day-to-day happiness.   Long-term stress can also have deleterious physical impacts, increasing our chances of developing heart issues, diabetes, and other diseases.  Overcoming Work Stress There will always be periods at work that are more stressful than others. However, even in those heightened stressful moments it's important to find ways to cope. Here are a handful of ways you can do that: Reassess your current obligations: If you're overwhelmed with your workload, have an honest conversation with your superior and/or teammates. Being open about your stress can help your team create a better path forward for everyone. Leave work at work: It's easier said than done, but do your best to create a line between the workday and your personal life. Turn off Slack, don't check emails, and try not to think about projects or dilemmas off-hours. Embrace your free time: Do things that bring you joy and make you feel good during your non-working hours. Write down positives: We tend to dwell on the negative, but the simple practice of gratitude can give us a more comprehensive overview. Write down what brings you joy about work. Reach out to others: Talking things out with others can help us gain perspective and work through difficult scenarios. Ask a trusted friend or partner for a listening ear and, if the stress can't be managed, reach out to a therapist for professional guidance.   On the Bright Side Ways to Stay Positive This Week Ways to Nurture Your Mind and Body  This week, take 15 minutes to identify the pain points causing you stress at work. Next, write down one or more potential solutions that can help you overcome this stress. Maybe it's delegating tasks, creating firmer work boundaries, or asking a friend for insight. Finally, execute on these solutions. ThinkPresently bracelets feature phrases grounded in cognitive-behavioral therapy to remind us that when we stop resisting those feelings of anxiety, we might find relief. To foster an improved sense of calmness, add the soothing sound of a trickling fountain to your work desk. This three-tiered option from Gracie Oaks also features an LED crystal ball. If you'd like more ideas for coping with stress or racing thoughts at work, check out these 10 books for anxiety recommended by a mental health expert.     This Week on The Verywell Mind Podcast   On tomorrow's episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I talk with ABC news anchor & former insomniac Diane Macedo. Tune in to learn how she overcame her insomnia, and her top recommendations for getting a good night's sleep.   Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts / RSS Read These Next 4 Signs You're Experiencing Burnout READ NOW 9 Simple Ways to Deal With Stress at Work READ NOW What Are Your Rights When You're Depressed? READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com.     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2022 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy