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Stress-Busters for the Workplace
You have a major deadline coming
up at work. Or maybe you have
more work to take on for an absent
coworker. Either way, you feel stressed-out.
You might experience:
- Mood changes
- Problems sleeping
- Upset stomach
- Headache
Studies show that stress can lead to certain
chronic health problems, such as heart disease,
back and neck pain, depression and anxiety.
The next time you feel stressed-out at work,
try some of these stress-busting strategies:
- Be realistic. If you are overwhelmed by
too much work, don’t try to do everything.
Learn to ask for help or delegate some
work.
- Manage your time. If possible, work with
your boss and try to establish realistic goals
and deadlines. Complete your “must do”
tasks first. Tackle more difficult projects
during the time of day when you are most
alert.
- Break away. Take short, frequent minibreaks.
Just a walk to the drinking fountain
may make you feel better. Research shows
that such brief breaks, as little as five minutes
each hour, are more rejuvenating than
fewer, longer breaks.
Some changes to your lifestyle also can
help you manage job stress:
- Take time off. Vacations or long weekends
refresh and renew.
- Exercise. Each day, before or after work,
or during lunch, try 20 to 30 minutes of
fitness to refresh your body and your mind.
- Find a hobby that you enjoy. Get away
from work-related stress by doing something
fun. Indulge your interests.
- Join in a healthy lifestyle. Eat well, make
sleep a priority and be sure to balance work
and play.
- Surround yourself with a strong support
network. Stay in touch with family and
friends. Also, get to know your coworkers so
that you have people to confide in at work.
- Seek help. If available, take advantage of
your company’s employee assistance program,
which may offer counseling.
Memorial Hermann has
many innovative services
to help manage stress,
including the Memorial
Hermann Mind/Body
institute for clinical
wellness and the Memorial
Hermann Wellness Center.
For more information, call
713-222-care (2273).
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