Do you dread returning to work after a holiday or a weekend break? Have you noticed changes in your mood, appetite, or health following a promotion or changes to your workload? If so, you are not alone. Work-related stress is one of the most common causes of complaint and absenteeism for employees all over the world, especially for those who work in an office environment. The ILO (International Labour Organisation) has labelled stress a global epidemic that has huge financial and human repercussions.
It is true that not all causes of stress can be fully eliminated from our working lives, but as an office employee, there are a few things that you can do to help you deal with stress in the office. Below you will find some useful suggestions in this respect.
Are you your worst enemy?
It is very common to blame external factors on a stressful working environment. Unrealistic deadlines, an ever-increasing workload, staff shortages, or strained relationships with your colleagues or boss can be sources of stress, but have you become your worst enemy without realising it? Keeping stress under control has a lot to do with our own coping strategies and with your response to external stressors (like the ones mentioned above). In other words, your attitude could be magnifying these sources of stress and making them worse, snowball effect-style.
One of the things to look out for includes the common belief that you are pretty much “invincible” and that you can handle everything on your own. Going to work while you are ill or making overtime a habit are some common actions that can easily end up being counter-productive and leading to burnout. To prevent this, it might be useful to make a realistic list of your limitations so that you don’t take on more than you can handle. It is also important that you learn to delegate tasks and responsibilities on others and that you ask for help at home and at the workplace when you are starting to feel overwhelmed. These are all crucial aspects of stress management. Continue reading “Dealing with Stress in the Office Environment”
