ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2006 > July > 19 > Entry
Stressful job getting you down?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bad boss, lazy coworkers, deadlines that creep closer and closer, interruptions every other minute, multiple projects, family problems that follow you from home, email, voicemail, cell phones - what stresses you out?
Workplace stress can siphon away your productivity, your quality time at home and can make you sick.
Stress and burnout are old topics but as long as there are jobs and people, stress will be lurking.
Here are some examples of stress-busters, I’d appreciate your help in adding to the list.
Organize yourself:
- Set goals, short-term or long-term.
- Take time to get organized in the morning, make lists, schedule yourself.
- Block off quiet time - no emails, no phone calls.
- Make good files and keep them in their places.
Remove Distractions
- Keep your email from popping up on the screen, pulling you away into the false sense that you’re really getting something done by cleaning it up or answering everything.
- Turn off the phone, the blackberry, the instant messenger - for a while anyway.
- De-clutter your desk. Piles of files and papers are distracting and contribute to that overwhelmed feeling.
- Learn how to keep coworkers at bay. Know how to short-circuit the office gossip - even if the goods are really juicy! Make rounds before settling in and touch base with everyone (if reasonably possible), then they’ll leave you alone for a while.
Take care of your health - things your mom told you:
- Exercise regularly - at least 30 minutes a day
- Consider massage on a routine schedule
- Don’t skip meals, eat healthy and don’t eat at your desk
- Relaxation techniques - try to relax during and after work using breathing techniques, meditation or yoga
- Treat yourself to something fun - shopping, music, or good food
- Take a mental-health day occasionally
Manage your expectations and those of others - particularly those in charge:
- Know that you will never be finished with everything on your desk, something new will always come up. If you were ever really through, you wouldn’t be needed.
- Don’t over-commit yourself to everyone - know your limits and when to say no to a new project or group.
- It’s better to promise less and deliver more - makes you look like an over-achiever when you actually accomplish it.
- Try to manage your boss - without him/her picking up on it - you can do it!
I have found if you don’t take care of yourself, no one else is going to do it. No job is worth your health and your future.
How do you handle stress in your workplace and avoid the health threats associated with high levels of job stress?
What do you do that REALLY works when you’re job is getting you down?
Comments
By Karsh
July 19, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this
What do I do that REALLY works when my job is getting me down? I make a tally of each time something at work gets me riled up (meddling and incompetent co-workers and bad business ethics, mostly). Then I make sure I apply for as many jobs as there are tally marks, and complete this by the end of the day. That way, I’m not only destressing, but I’m doing something about the problem too — finding a better job!