Simple ways to reduce workplace stress

Based on research, the percentage of Australians who are stressed at work is high, and it’s only getting higher, which is truly a worrying sign.

Mental Health organisations report the numbers of folk diagnosed with stress are increasing, there are plenty of steps that leaders and entrepreneurs can take, to ensure stress levels at their workplace remain low. 

Even in a privileged country such as our own, we are not immune to the pressures of everyday life, did you know that 35% of Australians reported they experience significant levels of stress. I find this percentage extraordinary and unacceptably high.

Here’s are a few simple things you can do to alleviate your workplace stress levels.

Start Your Day Off Right

After scrambling to get your days started; perhaps it’s the hustle and bustle of getting the kids to school, maybe the morning commute or the unreliable public transport system, perhaps it’s trying to navigating our never-ending peak hour traffic delays, or paying the inflated car parking prices, perhaps it’s gulping down coffee in lieu of something healthy, many people arrive at their workplace already stressed, and more reactive to stress at work during the course of their day.

In fact, you may be surprised by how much more reactive to stress you are when you have a stressful morning.

If you start off the day with good nutrition, proper planning, and a positive attitude, you may find the stress of the workplace rolling off your back more easily.

Be Clear on Requirements

A factor that contributes to job burnout is unclear requirements.

If you don’t know exactly what’s expected of you, or if the requirements keep changing with little notice, you may find yourself much more stressed than necessary.

If you find yourself falling into the trap of never knowing if what you’re doing is enough, it may help to have a talk with your manager, your mentor or your Accountability Coach to go over expectations and clear up uncertainty.

Create A Plan

Creating a plan and identify strategies for meeting those expectations is key. Setting a priority list will also help to identify where to start, what’s to do, and when it needs to be finished will help alleviate anxiety surrounding your workload and the feeling of being overwhelmed which is so common for those with anxiety.

Stay Organized

Even if you’re a naturally disorganised person, planning ahead to stay organised can greatly decrease stress at work.

Being organised with your time means less rushing in the morning to avoid being late and rushing to get out at the end of the day. Keeping yourself organized means avoiding the negative effects of clutter, and being more efficient with your work.

Stay Away From Conflict

Because interpersonal conflict takes a toll on your physical and emotional health, and because conflict among co-workers is so difficult to escape, it’s a good idea to avoid conflict at work as much as possible.

That means don’t gossip, don’t play the office politics game, try not to share too many of your personal opinions about religion and politics and the like.

Try to avoid those people at work who don’t work well with others. If conflict finds you anyway, learn how to deal with it appropriately.

Be Comfortable

Another surprising stressor at work is physical discomfort.

You may not notice the stress you experience when you’re in an uncomfortable chair for a few minutes. But if you practically live in that chair when you’re at work, you can have a sore back and be more reactive to stress because of it.

Even small things like office noise can be distracting and cause low-grade frustration.

Do what you can to ensure that you’re working from a quiet, comfortable and soothing workspace.

Forget Multitasking

Multitasking was once heralded as a fantastic way to maximise one’s time and get more done in a day. Then people started realising that when they had a phone in their ear and were making calculations at the same time, their speed and accuracy (not to mention sanity) suffered and mistakes became frequent.

There is a certain kind of frazzled feeling that comes from splitting one’s focus that doesn’t work well for most people. Rather than multitasking, try a new strategy known as chunking.

Walk at Lunch

Many people are feeling ill effects from leading a deskbound lifestyle. One way you can combat that, and manage stress at work at the same time, is to get some exercise during your lunch break and perhaps take short exercise breaks throughout the day.

This can help you blow off steam, lift your mood, and get into better shape.

Keep Perfectionism in Check

Being a high achiever can help you feel good about yourself and excel at work. Being a perfectionist, on the other hand, can drive you and the people around you a little nutty and frustrated.

Especially in busy, fast-paced jobs, you may not be able to do everything perfectly. But striving to just do your best and then congratulating yourself on the effort is a good strategy. Your results will actually be better and you’ll be much less stressed at work

Listen to Music
– In your workplace or on your daily commute
Listening to music brings many benefits and can offer an effective way to relieve stress after work.

Combating the stress of a long day at work with your favourite music can make you less stressed when you get to work, when you arrive home, and more prepared to interact with the people in your life.

If you’d like to know about my programs and sessions which can reduce your workplace stress, increase your efficiency and make you generally feel better about your work and yourself, then you need to visit my website: www.TickThoseBoxes.com.au

If you like what your reading and you have unwanted workplace stress, or that this blog resonates with you, as your ‘Accountability Coach’ I’ll keep you on track so you keep those promises and commitments made to others and yourself. This action alone will reduce your stress levels because you are no longer alone to tackle the day-to-day.

I’ll be in your corner, walking the journey and riding the roller coaster with you being your sounding block and can offer counsel and advise if you wish. My clients get to use me as much as they like. I’m a great listener, I’ve got a proven track record in both BIG business from my 10 years at Apple (during the Steve Jobs era) and with experience on running my own business with loads of entrepreneurial flare, so I’ve already walked in your shoes and know the road ahead.

If we do this right, you’ll increase your sales, service your clients better, make more money and work fewer hours and with all of this stress levels will be reduced because you no longer feel constantly under the pump. If you sort this out, you’ll be able to spend time with those that are most important with a clear head and not doing work. Now that’s a win/win.

If you need help with your business, I work with entrepreneurial business owners, executives and their teams to ensure full accountability so they can meet obligations, promises and commitments made to others and themselves.

My name is Darren Finkelstein: Accountability Coach, Business Advisor and Presenter.

Visit my website for more information – https://tickthoseboxes.com.au or reach out to us at questions@tickthoseboxes.com.au

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