Banish workplace anxiety Stress in the workplace – Part 2 of 3
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It’s no secret that stress is a daily occurrence at work for many UK employees. According to stressexperts.co.uk, work-related stress caused a loss of 10.5 million working days in the UK in 2012, with each person suffering from stress taking 24 days off work.
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What’s stressing you out?
The denier
The ditherer
The doer
The decisionmaker
In part 1 of our stress in the workplace series, we outlined the most common stress profiles and asked our readers to share their workplace worries and tips for managing anxiety.
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Stress profiles – survey results The ditherer The decisionmaker
The denier
7.1% 3.5% 21.4%
67.8%
The doer
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Survey results – stress causes These same respondents revealed their most common causes of stress are: Coworkers Bosses
11.5% 11.5%
19.2%
Tight deadlines
53.6%
Heavy workload
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On the hairiest days, we all wish that stress just didn’t exist. But it’s important to remember that a healthy amount of stress is what’s needed to be in top form at the office. Positive stress, otherwise known as eustress, is what pushes you to try your hardest, and is key to reaching your goals. Negative stress (distress), is when it all becomes too much to balance, and you end up feeling overwhelmed and discouraged.
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Top tips to banish negative stress Pinpoint your triggers
Did your blood pressure rise when your boss called you out in a team meeting? Did you want to walk out when your manager dumped a stack of paperwork on your desk? If you can identify the exact cause of your anxiety, it will make it easier to come up with a plan or talk to your boss about managing your workload.
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Top tips to banish negative stress Focus on the solution instead of the problem
Getting stuck in a pattern of thinking about your problems will only make it worse. Ask yourself: how would I rather be feeling right now? Once you have that answer, you can plan your way towards it.
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Top tips to banish negative stress Learn to say no
Though the majority of our readers identify their stress profiles as doers, over half of them said their biggest cause of stress is a heavy workload. See a correlation? Taking everything on will only burn you out; instead, trying to manage your own workload by saying no or delegating will allow you to keep your anxiety levels in check.
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Top tips to banish negative stress Use your off switch
When you’re not at work, don’t think about it. Instead, spend time with family and friends, or find a hobby that you get deep satisfaction from. It will give your mind some resting time, so you can approach work with a fresh perspective.
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How do you deal with stress? Practical advice from our readers
“Avoid extreme reactions. I handle each task as it comes or selectively deal with matters in some priority. I also try to be positive about coping with situations.” - Emem Obot, business manager at Home Desire Ventures
“Write a list and immediately tackle 2 or 3 small, easy things on it. Tick them off the list – you’ll feel brilliant!” - Amanda Rao, HRD Northern Europe, TNS
“Rather than looking at what you haven't done on the 'to do' list, look at what you have done and note down all that you have done extra today that was not on the original list – you’ll be surprised and rewarded about how much you have actually done.” Rather than
- Kim Stallard, personnel payroll & development manager, Wychavon District Council
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