Job and workplace stress can easily get out of hand but there are some simple, practical steps you can take to regain control and go through your day feeling more balanced and happy.
Leave earlier in the morning. Even 10-15 minutes can make the difference between frantically rushing and having time to ease into your day.
Plan regular breaks. Make sure to take short breaks throughout the day to take a walk, chat to a friendly face, or try a short meditation. Also try to get away from your desk or work station for lunch.
Establish healthy boundaries. Many of us feel pressured to be available 24 hours a day or obliged to keep checking our phones for work-related messages and updates. But it’s important to maintain periods where you’re not checking emails or taking work calls at home.
Create a balanced schedule. Try to find a balance between work and family life, social activities and solitary pursuits, daily responsibilities and downtime.
Don't over-commit yourself. Avoid scheduling things back-to-back or trying to fit too much into one day. If you've got too much on your plate, drop tasks that aren't truly necessary to the bottom of the list or eliminate them entirely.
Prioritize tasks. Tackle high-priority tasks first. If you have something particularly unpleasant to do, get it over with early. The rest of your day will be more pleasant as a result.
Break projects into small steps. If a large project seems overwhelming, focus on one manageable step at a time, rather than taking on everything at once.
Delegate responsibility. You don’t have to do it all yourself. Let go of the desire to control every little step. You’ll be letting go of unnecessary stress in the process.
Be willing to compromise. Sometimes, if you can both bend a little at work, you’ll be able to find a happy middle ground that reduces the stress levels for everyone.