How to Reduce Stress in Work, Business and in Life
Stress is inevitable, and in many ways a necessary factor of life. Think about it – when an animal in the wild is under attack, they need to enter the stress response in order to survive. The threat triggers a flood of cortisol which activates the sympathetic nervous system. The response is one of survival and protection, and once the animal feels safe and is no longer under attack, it can return to the rest and digest stage.
As humans, we have the same built in mechanism! And while we need some of this healthy stress and pressure to produce, feel motivated and passionate about life, we rarely are in the room with a tiger and need to fight for our lives. In today’s society where there is a huge emphasis on productivity, urgency and action, exiting our bodies’ natural stress responses can be increasingly difficult.
As the challenges of the pandemic continue to ebb and flow, we’re left with the residues of 18 months of added stress on nervous systems and likely the valuable lesson of how important it is to reduce stress. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the impact stress can have on the body, and how we can reduce its damaging effects in the workplace and beyond.
How do you know when you’re too stressed out?
There’s no question – the effects of the pandemic caused almost every individual to have to pivot and alter their lives in some way. Jobs turned remote, jobs were lost altogether, some experienced the sickness and sometimes death of loved ones, some felt the immense stress of isolation.
For a time, it felt like as a collective we were really all in it. However, now that some time has passed it’s clear that the added stress has had an effect. When you’re so caught up in notifications, endless Zoom calls or homeschooling your children, it can be difficult to notice the signs and symptoms of the added pressure.
So how can you tell when you are feeling the impact of too much stress? Here are just a few signs to watch out for:
- Experiencing frequent headaches
- A loss of appetite
- Decreased energy and insomnia
- Feeling highly irritable and a lowered capacity
- Digestive issues
- Feeling symptoms of depression and anxiety
Our bodies are so wise and will always give us the feedback needed to make those necessary shifts to get back to our healthiest, happiest selves. It’s important that we listen closely enough and apply routines and rituals that will prevent stress from taking a serious toll on the body and mind.
Prevention is key.
When it comes to managing our stressors, it’s important to identify the areas in life where we are experiencing that pressure first and foremost. Is the workplace creating a lot of internal stress? Perhaps you’re dealing with a home renovation or a family matter that is causing some extra overwhelm. Whatever it may be, the first step to alleviating that stress is to identify where it’s direct source is.
We all deal with the pressures of life in different ways, and different methods will be more effective in some situations over others! For example, if you’re experiencing an influx of stress in the workplace – it may be a good idea to really hone in on your prioritization and organization. Staying on top of tasks and deadlines in a timely manner will help to alleviate future feelings of overwhelm and keep you on track.
You may find that implementing calendars, scheduling tools and to-do lists into your work life is exactly the structure you need in order to find a sense of calm amongst what can sometimes feel like a mountain of work. It’s also a good idea to practice mindfulness when completing your tasks. Stay present to what you’re doing and single task so you can keep your mind from spiraling into the overwhelm of all that there is to do. When it comes to managing workplace stress, having the right systems and disciplines in place is almost always going to set you up for success and ease in the future.
What about the added pressures of life?
So now that the workplace stress is being managed, what about dealing with the additional pressures of life? What about when you leave the office and come home to a mountain of laundry? Or your child needs you to stay up and help them with their school work? Sometimes, it can feel like the work is never done and you may be left feeling like after an entire day of managing work stress, it’s just another fire to put out.
This is why it is so important to make space for enjoyment and ease in your home life. Your home should feel like a safe place for you to relax and unwind – not a place where you’re constantly weighed down with the never-ending list of to-do’s.
While managing stress at work may look like more structured processes to create flow, overcoming stress at home may be a little different. Be sure to make room for what brings you joy when you’re at home. Carve out some time each day to move your body, participate in a hobby or simply enjoy a dinner party with friends and family where you can laugh and enjoy each other’s company.
Remember that it doesn’t always have to be about work and that you can grant yourself some permission to simply enjoy being in the present moment. Enjoy some play!
If you find that it’s difficult to find that space, create it for yourself! Waking up 30 minutes earlier to give yourself some quiet time can work wonders for reducing stress and giving you a sense that you have room to simply be.
Lean on your resources when you can.
The implications that stress can have on our bodies and minds are real, and not to be taken lightly. It’s important to remember that while having your own tool belt is great, support is still there when you need it.
If you’re finding it difficult to manage the weight of stressors in your work environment, know that there are resources there for you to lean on. Reach out to your employer, let them know where you’re at and build out a plan so that you can ditch the stress and get your mind and body back on track to optimal health.
