by Amon Karagara

Created on: June 21, 2010

Work-related stress is very common. It is very rare to come across a job that is entirely stress-free. For this reason, one should be prepared to cope with stress in the office. Here are some strategies:

KNOW YOUR EXPECTATIIONS. If you don’t know what exactly you are supposed to be doing, it can some be hard for you to do the right thing. So, talk to your boss and let them clearly define your job responsibilities and expectations and how your performance will be measured.

GET ENOUGH REST. If you have to go to work the following day, make sure you get enough rest. An exhausted brain may not be well prepared to cope with stress at work. Instead, even the little stress might seem like too much if you are tired when you walk into the office. So be sure to sleep well, so you have a fresh mind. 

TAKE BREAKS if you can. Don’t just sit at your desk or remain in your workplace all day, without any break. Once in a while, get off your desk and walk around, even if it’s as short as a minute or two. During your lunch break, take a walk around the block. Having some breathing time is important in relieving a lot of stress.

ORGANIZE YOUR WORKPLACE. Keep your workplace organized so you know where to find everything you are looking for without digging through a lot of clutter or spending so much time looking for even the simplest item.

PRIORITIZE YOUR TASKS. Dealing with multiple tasks throughout the day can be stressful sometimes. But if you learn how to juggle them around, you can easily cope. There are those that need immediate attention, while others can wait. Give priority to those that cannot wait or with deadlines and then deal with the others later. So, instead of answering every call that comes in when you have a task to complete before the day ends, let some go to voicemail. By the same token, some emails can wait, so respond to those that cant wait right away and skip the rest, which you can check later. This is another way of keeping yourself organized and less stressful.

SEPARATE WORK FROM PERSONAL LIFE. There might already be a situation causing stress at the office. Don’t make it worse by adding in personal stuff. Learn to separate the two.

MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND APPROACH. True, work can be stressful sometimes. But if you remain as positive as you can and portray a positive attitude, you may not feel as stressed as you would if you saw everything from a negative angle. Focus on the positive and promise yourself that everything will be over soon. When dealing with clients or fellow employees, carry a positive attitude.

TALK TO YOUR SUPERVISOR. If there is any work-related situation that is causing you stress, find the time to speak to your supervisor. Sometimes, it could be something that could have been avoided in the first place, so your supervisor might be able to find a solution. If it is something that cannot be avoided, he/she might offer some advice on how to deal with it. 

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