5 Ways to Combat Stress in the Work Place

On a daily basis people spend more time at work than at home with their families.  A survey done by The Conference Board in July 2018 found that roughly 50% of Americans report they are not satisfied in their jobs.  Half of us are sitting at work, in front a computer, counter or desk just watching the days go by. Stuck.

Not to mention, there are serious health issues that come with an unpleasant, stressful workplace.  Work place stress is linked to diabetes, heart disease, disability and more. The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that 2 in 3 employees agree that work is a major source of stress. On average the U.S. spends nearly $190 billion a year due to work-related stress issues.

In order to combat workplace stress it is important to be resilient.

Below are 5 ways resilient people deal with stress according to Psychology Today and Help Guide:

1. Accept that stress is part of life
   1. “Easy-going” people still encounter stressful situations, but they deal with them differently. Instead of getting angry or worried over a situation, they accept that there are always going to be setbacks and do what they can to overcome them.
2. Maintain physical health
   1. Fighting stress is hard if you are also battling your physical health. To work on your physical health and combat stress at the same time, try exercising.  A study found in the Journal of Physiology suggested that exercise can not only reduce your risk of heart disease death, but 30 minutes of exercise 4-5 times can also keep your heart young.
3. Have  healthy coping skills in place before the stressful incident
   1. Stress resilient people know exactly the situations that get their blood boiling or their brain jumbled. They have steps set in place for when these times arise. For example, when a stress resilient person gets overwhelmed they back away from the situation and revisit it at a later time or go outside for some fresh air. Find a coping mechanism that works for you so you are prepared for stressful situations.
4. Create a  work/life balance         
   1. Sometimes, to avoid dealing with problems people drown themselves in work and social activities. Others deal with stress by isolating themselves. A study in the Heart journal found isolation is associated with a 43% higher risk of first-time heart attack and 30% higher risk for first-time strokes. It is important to note the significance of a work/life balance. Stress resilient people understand when it is time to leave work behind and focus on their loved ones and themselves. 
5. Have time-management skills
   1. Poor time management can cause a lot of stress, especially in the workplace. Anxiety and stress come naturally when you are in a rush: it can be hard to stay cool and focused. You will also forget to save time for your healthy stress relievers like getting enough sleep or physical activity. To improve your time management skills, try breaking your tasks down into small steps, focus on one step at a time. Remember to prioritize your tasks in a list and finish them one by one with the most important items first and never over commit yourself.

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