How to Cope with Office Stress
Tips for Women
There are growing numbers of women who experience office stress on a regular basis. In a difficult economy, you may find it more difficult
handling workplace stress.
Layoffs and budget cuts are constant reminders of the fragile work environment that many individuals find themselves experiencing. Yet, women, have additional stressors that affect them such as discrimination, stereotyping, and work/home balancing acts. To assist with these unique stressors, employee policies are enacted to ensure that women are not penalized in their ability to maximize their career potential. However, there are office stressors that women can combat by using
workplace stress management
strategies. By identifying your stressors and then matching appropriate specific stress management techniques, you have a greater chance of reducing the levels of work-related stress.
Causes of Office Stress
Can you identify what is causing your stress at work? Identifying the major contributor to your office stress will help you devise the most helpful stress management strategies. Consider the following sources of stress and see which are the major culprits in your life.
**Is there harassment,by anyone, not necessarily your manager?
**Do you feel powerless in determining your own responsibility?
**Are there continuous and unreasonable performance demands?
**Is there poor communication in explaining job expectations?
**Do you fear a job layoff or have a lack of job security?
**Are there increased demands for overtime due to staff cutbacks?
**Are you forced to spend excessive time away from home and family?
**Is there excessive office politics and conflict among staff?
**Do you have a feeling that there is a lack of appreciation for your work?
A key to reducing stress at work is to remove yourself from the stressor. Developing new habits which regularly remove you from stressful situations is essentially how to manage stress on a permanent basis. The ability for you to manage your stress at work can be the difference between your success and your jobe failure.
Beware of the Warning Signs of Excessive Office Stress
When people feel overwhelmed, they can loose confidence in their ability to perform well at work. If warning signs of
work related stress
go unattended, they can lead to more serious problems. Look for these warning signs if you believe that you have been experiencing high levels or a constant amount of stress over a period of time.
* Headaches or Muscle Tension
*Trouble Sleeping
*Problems Concentrating
*Short Temper
* Upset Stomach
*Job Anxiety
*Apathy or Social Withdrawal
Stress Management Techniques to Reduce Office Stress
When stress at work surrounds you, try these simple stress management techniques to lower the negative effects.
1. Take care of your
health.
Staying healthy helps you reduce the effects of office stress. Maintain a sufficient level of sleep so that you are not tired and irritable as you deal with the stress at work. Practice healthy eating habits to
relieve stress.
Remember that
exercise reduces stress
and build in lunch-time walks or after-work exercise opportunities.
2. Practice effective
time management strategies.
. Don't let your schedule control you. Make certain that you prioritize your tasks and be realistic about what you can accomplish in any given amount of time. Sometimes, you may take on more work that you should, but delegate when you can. Time management strategies are important not only for the workplace but also for developing a comfortable
life balance.
Try to find a balance between work and family life because all work and no play is another contributor to job burnout.
3. Watch
conflict in relationships
at work. If there are people that like to gossip or raise controversies, steer clear. It is best to avoid people who do not "play well with others" whenever possible.
Remember. Office stress significantly reduces brain functions such as concentrating on, analyzing, memorizing, and interpreting data. These are all important components of effective work performance. If you are suffering from stress at work, and it is beginning to affect your health or work performance, take a moment to reflect on what is causing the stress and what stress management strategies you can use to change the situation. Commit to change the situation before the situation has a more dangerous consequence on you.
Think it is time for a career change? Visit How to Change Careers for some great insights. The website is designed to help you to work out what you want to do and how to make it happen.
Read the articles below for more great information we have compiled to help you reduce the effects of stress in the workplace.
Organizing Your Workspace Reduces Office Stress
Stress Management in the Workplace
Occupational Stress: New Publication Offers Remedies
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