It is very normal to feel stress at work as it can often aid in increasing productivity. However, stress that interferes with your ability to think clearly and work efficiently is a sign that you need to actively take steps to reduce work stress. The current workplace scenario is such that pressure to do more and within tight schedules keep increasing. Even a mentally strong person can crumble under such intense pressure. The lack of a work-life balance can aggravate and aid the stress factors in becoming stronger. If you do not deal with stress, it can lead to many physical and mental health complications. Understand which aspects of your job are regular sources of stress. It can be from poor work conditions, low salary package, unreasonable work targets, peer performance pressure, lack of control over the job’s demands or even pressure from senior management. No matter what is causing the stress, you can follow any of the methods mentioned below to overcome stress at work.

Ways To Cope With Work Stress

Avoid developing stress related anxiety, panic attacks, and depression due to work stress. Before the stress symptoms become aggravated, cope with work stress with any of the following ways:

• Reach out to someone for help. Talking your problems out with a therapist, family or friends can help you to get a clearer picture of the stressors and what you can do to avoid them. If the work is difficult for you to handle, then talk with your supervisor.
• Develop a healthy rapport with co-workers such that there is only friendly banter and no unhealthy competition. Avoid peer pressure.
• Take regular breaks from work. Shifting your focus from time to time will help you to perform better at work. Ensure that you use your vacation days instead of working continuously.
• Make priorities in the work that you do so that you can finish up your work as planned and not stress over pending work.
• Maintain a journal with all the factors that is causing work stress. Tracking the causes will enable you to overcome them.
• Establish boundaries between work and life. Do not check emails when you are in the middle of dinner or enjoying time with your family. Leave office work where it should and do not carry work home.
• If you feel stress from factors beyond your control, do not resort to alcohol or recreational drugs. They will only hinder work performance and aggravate symptoms.