How to Manage Stress in the Workplace

You’ve heard it a million times before, stress is something we encounter all of the time 
in life, and there’s no avoiding it. Taking that into consideration, the workplace can quite 
literally be a significant source of stress for many individuals due to various factors.

Things such as workload, exhausting deadlines, strained or complicated interpersonal 
relations, and of course the pressure to perform can all contribute greatly to your stress 
level.

If left untreated and unchecked, workplace stress can have some seriously detrimental 
effects on both your mental health as well as your physical health. This in turn can 
greatly impact your productivity and job satisfaction too.

Having said all of this, you should realize how crucial it is to manage your stress in the 
workplace in an effective and efficient manner. That’s why this article jumps straight into 
some practical tips that should give you a helping hand with your stress management in 
your workplace.


Identify the Source of Your Stress

No surprise here, the first step in workplace stress management is obviously to attempt 
to identify what the source of the stress could be.

Is it a heavy workload, difficult coworkers, or feeling like you have no control over your 
job?

After you’ve targeted what could be the stressor, you can more properly develop 
strategies to effectively manage said stress. As a simple example, if your workload is 
causing you stress, you could talk to your manager about redistributing tasks or 
negotiating a more reasonable deadline.


Practice Time Management

Without a doubt, a very common cause of workplace stress is feeling overtaken by 
many tasks and creeping deadlines.

To avoid this, practice effective time management. Make a list of everything that you 
have to complete at the beginning of each day and prioritize tasks based on their 
urgency and importance. Evade procrastination, and create smaller tasks that are more 
manageable chunks from the larger more daunting tasks.

By managing your time effectively, you'll feel more in control of your workload and less 
stressed.
Take Regular Breaks

Taking regular breaks throughout the workday can greatly benefit you when it comes to 
lowering your stress and even boosting your productivity.

Stepping away from your desk for a few minutes every hour or so can help to clear your 
mind and reduce some tension. You could take a walk around the office, do some 
stretching exercises, or simply sit and meditate for a few minutes.

By taking breaks, you'll return to your work feeling refreshed and more focused.


Practice Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can be powerful 
tools for managing stress around the workplace.

These techniques help to slow down your breathing, calm your mind, and reduce 
tension in your body. You could practice these techniques during your breaks or before 
and after work to help you feel more relaxed and centered with yourself.


Seek Support

Talking to someone about your workplace stress can be a great way to alleviate some 
of the pressure. This could be a coworker, friend, or family member. Alternatively, you 
could turn to finding proper support from a professional such as a therapist or 
counselor.

Let’s be real here, more often than not, talking to another person can help with gaining a 
fresh perspective on your situation and developing strategies for coping with your 
stress.


Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for maintaining manageable levels of stress 
when it comes to working.

Eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly can all help to 
reduce stress levels. Avoiding excessive amounts of caffeine, risky alcohol 
consumption, and even sugar consumption can also help to positive effect your overall 
mental and physical wellbeing.


Practice Assertiveness

Practicing assertiveness can help you to feel more in control of your workplace 
environment.

Being assertive means communicating your needs and boundaries clearly and 
respectfully.

As an example in this case, if a coworker is making unreasonable demands on your 
time, you could assertively but respectfully explain that you have other priorities that 
need your attention.


Closing Words

With that, we’ve covered seven different methods for managing your stress in and 
around the workplace, regardless of who you are. While workplace stress is a common 
occurrence, it doesn’t have to take full control of your life.

By taking the proper steps and measures such as the ones outlined above you can 
significantly cut down the stressors within the workplace. From identifying sources of 
stress all the way to practicing different relaxation technique and time management 
strategies, you can certainly find a way to properly adapt what you’ve just learned to 
your own life.

Remember that stress may be a natural part of life, but what matters the most is how 
you respond to it and manage it. By developing healthy coping tactics, you can work 
towards reducing your stress levels properly and ultimately thriving in the workplace.
