Workplace stress is not a foreign concept. A study by American Institute of Stress shows that 55% of Americans experience some degree of stress on a daily basis. it is safe to say that workplace stress is inevitable.
A small dose of workplace stress may be beneficial in improving your focus. However, extreme doses of workplace stress can interfere with work performance, overall productivity, relationships and even health.
With that being said, here are 3 techniques to cope with workplace stress.
- STEP AWAY FROM THE MOMENT
“It might sound almost too simple, but for me, the best way to deal with work stress is to step away from the moment and eliminate any emotions. Emotions often trigger fight response on autopilot, and that does not mix well with work,” Miha Matilevski, known as a Fail Coach / Business Advisor for business startups, advises, “once emotions are out of the way I just ask myself a very simple question – Can I do something about it? Usually the answer is yes”.
Matilevski also adds, “if the answer is no, I affirm to myself that the stress is just temporary and shift my focus to doing things I actually can do. I know this sounds simple, but it is something that took me some practice. Now I find that I’m reacting to stress in more logical manner”.
2. STAND UP AND SHINE
JC Pelsey, business matchmaker, shares her a pair of workplace stress reducing activities, “I call it stand up and sunlight. I watch 5-10 minutes of stand-up comedy then take a walk outside. The whole premise of it is to laugh and spend time outside to break any workday monotony”.
“Laughter decreases stress hormones and triggers the release of endorphins, hormones that minimize any discomfort . Exposure to sunlight triggers serotonin, mood boosting hormones”, Pelsey explains further, “with the combination of these two, it reduces any further stress response that may affect my work”.
3. BOX BREATHE
“Anytime I feel stressed from work, my go-to solution is to box breathe, which is also called square breathing,” Fendi Mutiri, freelance writer, shares, “I slowly breathe 4 counts in and 8 counts out. That is one cycle. And I continue that cycle for at least 2 minutes”.
Mutiri also adds the health benefit of this technique, “there has been several studies that shows slow, deep, intentional breathing relaxes your nervous system. Once I learned this technique, it has been a major game changer in dealing with workplace stress!”.