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- 4 Tips to Coping With Stress at WorkBy Sarah Salus - Freelance Writer And the secret you’ve all been waiting for is... Actually there is no quick-fix solution to coping with stress at work. As an advertising executive, I’m no stranger to the demands of a high-stress work environment; one in which late nights at the office, unreasonable clients and unrealistic deadlines make a routine appearance, and burn-out is all too common among colleagues. But if there is one thing I have learnt over the years, it’s that no matter what situation you are faced with, there is usually a way of coping with it. Years ago, before I started out in my career, I mistook my passion for ambition; my aim back then was to climb the corporate ladder in pursuit of status and wealth and live happily ever after. It still may happen, but for now my ambitions involve simpler ideas, such as personal fulfilment, human relationships and creativity. And let’s not completely discount money, since this little factor is pertinent to sustaining an enjoyable lifestyle too. When, in my third year in my career began to take its toll, I started keeping a journal. I began learning a lot about myself; my hopes and dreams, my anxieties and even a few things that I could not repeat to anyone out loud and that will forever remain buried in the pages of that book. Doing this helped me discover that, despite my role as a “suit”, I was actually more suited to a creative role, something that would provide an artistic outlet and far more fulfilment than any job that involved spreadsheets or meeting notes. No, I didn’t quit my 9-5 day job and run away to join the circus; instead I looked for ways to cope. I developed strategies and techniques that I like to call “stepping stones”. They are small, simple steps that, with time, have led me to a better, healthier work-life balance. Although these tactics relate to my own personal experiences, I believe that many of the situations I have faced draw parallels with other occupations. 1) Figure It Out - Who are you really and how much can you take? Working out what type of person you are can also help you figure out how much you can reasonably manage, because people cope in different ways. For instance, I discovered that I am a passionate person with strong opinions, who tends to take things to heart easily. With this knowledge, and knowing that I could be more susceptible to certain situations, I learnt to give myself a break. I realised that much of the pressure I suffered was originating from myself. Gradually, I trained myself to understand that imperfections and flaws are part of human nature, and began easing off the mental strain that I had been weighing myself down with. Moderating the expectations I had of myself helped me find a more realistic outlook and a new sense of inner peace. 2) Take Thirty Minutes to Regroup - In an ideal world, we would all stay on top of every project we work on. We would know every minute detail and nothing would be overlooked. But what do you do when circumstances reach breaking point? A good friend once taught me to remove myself from the situation for thirty minutes. Nothing bad is likely to happen in thirty minutes, but it will give you a chance to calm down and put things into perspective. When the walls are falling in, my personal system involves scurrying off to the local coffee shop. The warm, inviting atmosphere is certain to put me at ease, and before long I am nestled in an armchair, scribbling notes freely, getting my thoughts in order. Back to my calm self and armed with an action plan, I can safely return to the office with renewed energy and a clear head. 3) Organization Is Your Best Friend, Honestly - If you’re someone who isn’t easily organized, I recommend learning, fast. If you can’t find something because you’re not organized, you’re less likely to be able to cope with a problem. Put an hour aside (write it in your diary if you have to) to tackle simple but monotonous exercises that will bring order to your office space. It might be as simple as opening a file for each project or sorting your emails into “groups”. Each act will help you access things faster and feel more prepared. Whether you’re working from home, in an office or constantly on the move, a tidy, organized work environment will help you to start the day with a clear head and positive attitude. 4) Learn to Switch Off - For years I contemplated how to switch off at the end of the day. I was conscious of the fact that talking about office problems at home affected my mood for the entire evening and sometimes throughout the weekend. But still, I couldn’t manage to shake it off. That is, until one day I realized my bickering was having a negative affect on the people around me. Not only was I bringing my problems into my personal life, I was spreading them around like a contagious disease. I decided it had to stop. I made a mental promise to myself: every time I thought about, or started talking about work, I would make a conscious effort to stop. I reminded myself that every moment spent complaining about work, was a moment I was depriving myself of. Coping with stress at work is different for every individual; it can take people years to find out a way of surviving. For some it means walking away altogether in pursuit of something more fulfilling. Whatever your method, I believe that once you begin to explore who you really are, the answers will reveal themselves, as they did for me. Sarah Salus is a freelance copywriter for the marketing & advertising industry in Calgary, helping clients communicate with impact. For details, email sarahsalus@hotmail.com |