Copyright
© 2005 Dale Collie
http://www.couragebuilders.com
Jobs are heating up. We're all feeling the pinch of hiring
freezes and information overload. Workplace stress is increasing right along with
the workload.
Headaches are turning into migraines; back
pains are driving us to the chiropractor, and minor irritations are causing tempers
to flair.
In addition to our personal reaction to stress,
it is taking its toll on the bottom line. Stress is driving up the cost of health
care, and we can see a huge impact in things like tardiness, absenteeism, personnel
turnover, and accidents. The annual price tag of stress in corporate America is
more than $150 billion.
While forecasters tell us we can
expect more of the same, we need our jobs, and we need to find ways to control
the stressors that are taking a affecting our health and productivity.
Here
are 11 ways you can keep your cool and minimize the impact of stress on your life.
Do
your own job - When poor the work habits of others create stress, remember
why you're there. Pay attention to your own job. You will not be rated on the
performance of others, but the boss will note the quality of your work. Stay focused
on the job you were hired for, and let management deal with improving the department
or the company. Don't get stressed about things that are not your responsibility.
Organization
- Regardless of company expectations, you can alleviate a lot of your stress
by organizing your work space and getting a firm grasp on the work that must be
done. Even if you have to pay for it yourself, get the tools needed to organize
your effort, e.g. files, furniture, PDAs, software, and training. Work with your
boss to prioritize projects and routine tasks. Only get concerned about unfinished
work if the boss gives it a priority. You'll never get everything done, so pick
the most important and file everything else in an easy to reach file drawer.
Communication
- It's important to maintain your supervisor's comfort level, so meet with
them as often as necessary to keep them informed of projects and progress. Give
them updates the way they want them (email, memos, briefings, etc.), and persist
in getting the feedback that is so important in reducing stress. Use this same
strategy with those who give you information or products to do your job and those
who depend on what you give them. Good communication is essential for good stress
control.
Interruptions - Avoid stressful interruptions
by controlling your schedule and your communications. Establish times for meeting
with those who want information from you and hold them to it. The more persistent
you are, the more organized they will be. Handle phone calls and respond to email
during specific times. Develop a list of people and events that disrupt your job
and work with each until it is under control.
Family
Time - Family situations are among the greatest stressors at work. There's
an old axiom that says, "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."
It's true. Avoid future problems by prioritizing family time on your schedule
and stick to it. Get professional help if you're unable to resolve sticky situations.
Exercise
- More than 80% of all doctor's visits are stress related. Those who find
time to exercise reduce stress, strengthen their immune system, and improve their
well being. Do a little research and talk with the experts to find out what fits
your needs. Make the exercise part of your work schedule if possible; don't let
it cut into family time. Regular exercise can add years to your own life and make
you more productive for your employer.
Nutrition - Proper
nutrition is a key to stress control. The US Army recognizes proper nutrition
as a critical element in controlling stress among combat soldiers, and you must
admit, your job is sometimes as stressful as combat. Use the Internet or get information
from Human Resources to improve nutrition. You'll have to make some deliberate
changes because our eating habits are affected by our culture, the expectations
of others, inadequate knowledge about what makes a proper diet. Learn what is
needed and make a plan.
Rest - Take charge of your
sleep habits in the same way you work on your eating habits. Sleep deprivation
is a major stressor by itself, and it adds to the problem with other stressful
events. Cut out the late night television. Quit taking work home from the office.
Change the pattern of your weekend parties. Get some new friends. Do whatever
is necessary to get back on track with seven or eight hours sleep every night.
Studies show that twenty minute power naps make us more productive, so use part
of your lunch break for nutrition and part for a short nap to control stress.
You'll get more done.
Discussion - Tell people what's
on your mind. If you can't ignore someone's special talent for bugging you, talk
it over with them. There's a good chance they are unaware of the offense, so you
don't need to get up tight about it. In a friendly tone of voice, let them know
what gets under your skin and be ready to make some concessions yourself. As you
now know, their irritating habit is probably magnified by other stressors, so
make sure you've done what you can to control stress before challenging anyone.
Education
- The more educated you are about your job, the less stressful it becomes.
Even if you've been on the job for years, there's always more to learn about the
upstream and downstream impact of what you do. Stay up to date with trade journals,
books, and other research. Become the expert at what you do and coach others.
While some companies do not pay for this type education, your own investment will
make you more valuable to your company. What you know is portable - and it looks
good on a resume.
Volunteer - Helping others has
an immediate impact on stress levels. Build in some family time by volunteering
as a family once a month. Build rapport with supervisors and co-workers by organizing
a once-a-week lunchtime volunteer program. Lead a food or clothing collection
for needy employees or families outside your company. Create a support-the-troops
letter writing campaign so everyone in the company communicates regularly with
GI's away from home. In short, doing something for someone else takes your mind
off the stressors that bother you most.
Each of these stress
relievers works independently of the others. Find one that's practical for you
and put it to work. Friends, family, and co-workers will all notice the changes
in you and thank you for making the effort.
For a free article
about the top ten workplace stressors and how to tame them, send email to TopTenStressors@CourageBuilders.com
