5 tips to reduce stress at work
As today is National Stress Awareness Day we would like to highlight a few tips on how to reduce stress work. At aneemo we know that working with individuals with complex needs might be stressful. People need to understand that you can’t always control everything at your work, but that doesn’t mean you are powerless. Even though some pressure at the work place can help you stay focused and make you able to meet new challenges, being stressed at work can make the difference between success and failure on the job you’re doing. That’s why at aneemo we believe we need to practice good self-care in order to be able to continue to do our job well.
1. Talk to your employer
The first thing you need to do when suffering from stress at work is let people know. You can’t keep it to yourself and it is going to affect you even more if you don’t share what is worrying you with others. Talk to your line manager and tell them why you are feeling like this. Ask for clear requirements and an updated description of your job duties and responsibilities. Let them help you find a solution and make the situation better.
2. Prioritise and organise
Having too many things to do may cause you to become overwhelmed and stressed. Help yourself and plan ahead. Organise your to do list and get a full overview of what you need to deliver in a day or a week forward. However, don’t get too excited and avoid writing never-ending lists. If you have lots of things to deliver, learn to prioritise. Highlight the tasks you need to get done first and leave the other ones for later.
3. Make some time for yourself
Don’t let work be the only reason you live for. Spend some time with your family and friends, start reading a new book or listen to your favourite music. When you are focused too much on working, you forget there’s more live around you. Also, take some time off. Get away for the weekend, use up your holiday and plan some adventures. It is important you keep your mind entertained and have a break from work to recharge your batteries. And please don’t forget to get enough sleep!
4. Have a healthy diet and do some exercise
Don’t make the excuse ‘I don’t have time to eat properly’. Your diet is very important for your health and it can really make a difference on your stress levels. Eating more nutritious food will give you the energy you need to face the day. Avoid eating fast food, reduce your sugar consumption and avoid stimulants like caffeine and nicotine. Also, do some exercise. Doing some sport lifts your mood, sharpens focus and increases your energy levels. Go for a walk, join a near gym or even cycle to work. Physical movement can help you regain your balance.
5. Let it go
We all try to find perfection when it comes to work, but sometimes we also need to understand we can’t do everything by ourselves. Let go of the desire to control everything. Ask for some help if you have too many tasks to deliver and avoid unrealistic deadlines. And if your work dealing with other people and their situation is mentally affecting you too much, don’t be afraid to give it away. Probably someone else will be able to freshly face their case with another perspective. And you won’t only help your patients but also yourself.
For more information on stress and self-care, or dealing with individuals who have complex needs please have a look at the courses we have available here.
