Strategies for Managing Stress in the Workplace
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What strategies for managing stress in the workplace are the most effective?
We all think our job or profession is the most stressful job in the world. But how stressful is your job really?
Well, like pain… stress is what the individual says it is. Each person copes with stress in a different way. So judging others who are on the face of it not coping or self criticism really doesn’t help.
There is no simple remedy to stress and anxiety but there are many methods you could try to reduce your stress and anxiety.
What causes stress in the workplace?
Lack of control, lack of time to get tasks completed, pressure from management. All these and more can cause stress and anxiety, which often go hand in hand.
So many people work at jobs they don’t enjoy but have to do if they want to maintain a roof over their head and food on the table.
Changing your job may not be an option for all of us so managing our feelings around doing that job may be the only option.
Using techniques to combat stress and anxiety can include having outside interests, hobbies, a side-gig to make extra money and eventually transition that ito a full time income.
If you know anything about meditation, mindfulness and relaxation techniques, these can help.
I was a psychiatric nurse for over 20 years, working in some of the most stressful situations but one psychiatrist said to me one of the main reasons for stress, anxiety and depression is thwarted ambition.
Until you can change your job or profession how can you reduce stress now?
Stress is a killer
Studies have shown that prolonged stress does increase cortisol. This is the stress hormone essential for normal physiological functioning.
However, if it increases and is high for long periods – this can cause a number of negative effects and illnesses both physical and mental.
High cortisol level symptoms
Strategies for Managing Stress in the Workplace – Study of Nurses
A recent study looked at how effective a 15 minute chair massage helps reduce stress in nurses in busy hospitals.
The conclusion found that regular 25 minute chair massage during the working day reduced the symptoms of stress significantly.
Although this may seem difficult to facilitate in most work environments, if you had the opportunity to use a massage chair when you have finished your day job, get home and go and sit in your chair for 15-30 minutes a day – how would that positively impact your day and sense of well-being?
Even if the cost of a full body massage chair is too much for your budget, you could get some of the benefits from using a chair massage pad, a foot massager and a shoulder massager… may be a bit cumbersome to have all the different massage machines though?!
One thing is clear from the research, any form of stress relief and relaxation is desirable for physical and mental health.
