What are the Best Tips for Managing Workplace Stress?

Managing workplace stress can be accomplished through several techniques, depending on the stressors. Stretching tense muscles, breathing fresh air, listening to relaxing music, avoiding office drama, communicating effectively, and having strong organizational skills are all ways to manage stress at the workplace. Sometimes relaxation techniques work, other times it may take a proactive stance in the workplace to lessen or manage the stress.

Sometimes stress is the result of an abundance of work or a tight deadline. In those cases, managing workplace stress can be as simple as following a few easy relaxation techniques. For example, the back, shoulders, and neck can be stretched while sitting at the office desk. Lifting the arms above the head, moving the neck from side to side, and doing twists can all get the blood flowing and allow the employee to re-focus on the tasks at hand. In addition, having strong organizational skills, keeping the work area tidy, and using a calendar to keep track of important deadlines are good ways to manage stress at the workplace as well.

Other ways of managing workplace stress include arriving at work a little earlier in the morning, turning down some projects, and delegating a few projects to other people when possible. In certain work environments, showing up even a few minutes early will give workers to ability to check e-mail and plan their day before delving into projects, conference calls, and memos. Occasionally, there are other employees that can lend a helping hand. If at all possible, delegate responsibility to those employees or encourage workplace bosses to share projects with others as well.

In some workplaces, the stress comes from people, such as a demanding boss, a gossipy co-worker, or an employee who does not do her share of the work. In those cases, effective communication skills are important in managing workplace stress. Effectively relaying information to the demanding boss, refraining from workplace gossip, and avoiding conflict with other co-workers are all ways to reduce these stressors. If conflict is eminent, a brisk walk outside will remove the worker from the situation and give all parties a chance to calm down.

In some jobs, the workplace stress is the result of demanding or rude clients. There are classes at many community colleges that teach business owners and their employees how to deal with these clients in a professional manner. Having such knowledge may help manage workplace stress.

Some things can be done outside of work that will also work toward managing workplace stress. For example, getting enough sleep, eating foods that are healthful, and exercising on a regular basis can all work to reduce stress at work. Other people may find that spending time with family on days off and visiting a therapist may also help them gauge their stress and reduce it.