MANAGING WORK PLACE STRESS

Idealism encourages us to consider an archetype world, one where there is harmony, there is

peace, and either you don’t have to work to survive and if you do, work is NOT stressful. We’d

leap out of bed eager to tackle the challenges set out by our job description. Sounds like it

could be a dream job?

Many of us find ourselves stuck in a role that does not quite align with our passions or

professional aspirations. The constant hustle becomes even more taxing when coupled with

stress that the job seems to dump on you every chance it gets.

Managing stress specifically at a job you do not like can be insurmountable. It is overwhelming,

at times angering and will make you question “why?” almost day to day. We have all been

there, including myself.

But know this, managing stress is possible the stress may still exit with these tips, but it will

keep your stress from becoming chronic, leading to burnout or taking over your life.

Identify what parts of your job cause you the post stress:

It is important to pinpoint specific tasks, or even specific colleagues that trigger stress. Knowing

what these things are, is the first step to effectively managing it.

Set boundaries:

Establishing boundaries between your work life and your personal life will go a long way. Do

you turn work off when you clock out? Do you answer emails when you should be asleep. Do

your best not to allow work tasks bleed into your leisure and your rest.

What you can control:

You will not have control over all aspects of your job, however there are some things you will

have control over, such as how you chose to organize tasks, your attitude towards what you are

expected to do, focusing on incentives you get by doing your job, and seeking supported if

there is a trusted colleague or supervisor.

Practice self-care:

Do not ignore taking care of yourself and doing the activities that relax you and bring a smile to

your face. Self-care routines provide temporary relief, but are a part of self-preservation.

Explore Opportunities:

It is always a great idea to see how you can advance (if that is what you desire). Research

opportunities within your work place or outside of your workplace for opportunities that either

do align or in much closer proximity to aligning with where you see yourself professionally.

Remember, we all start from somewhere.

Visualize your future:

While acknowledging your current stressful situation. Do not lose sight of where you want to

go. Use your dissatisfaction to propel you forward. Ruminating too much in dissatisfaction can

become harmful, and will bleed over into your moods and interactions with the people that you

care about outside of work.

Remember... be patient with yourself and CELEBRATE the small victories too. By implementing

the above, you will navigate that stressful job and eventually inch your way closer to your

professional desire, without losing yourself.