How to Think Clearly Under Stress — 7 Vital Steps You Must Take

There’s a fine line between working under pressure and working under stress. Working under pressure allows for an element of a sense of urgency, and it can motivate people to get things done on time. Working under stress is when the pressure becomes too much. There are very few people that can perform at their best when they are under stress.

What Are the Dangers of Working Under Stress?

In the short-term, people can make serious mistakes because stress affects our ability to think clearly. There are also several physical and mental problems associated with long term stress in the workplace. The results of chronic stress can include cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, weakened immune systems, headaches, and fatigue.

Working under too much stress causes staff to take more time off work—not good for a company’s productivity. A study in the UK between 2015 and 2016 showed that one in eight employees needed to take medication to cope with workplace stress. The same survey indicated that 11.7 million workdays were lost, which cost the UK economy almost £6.5 billion.

Managers and employees need to be aware of the impacts of stress. When you realise the impact stress has, it’s possible to make the working environment more pleasant for everyone.

In this article, you will find out seven ways to handle work stress and to be able to work successfully under pressure.

7 Vital Ways to Think Clearly Under Stress

1. Set realistic goals

Goals are the best tool to create motivation. Too many people today set unrealistic goals that are impossible to reach. In doing so, they only put unnecessary stress on themselves. Each morning plan your day carefully with essential tasks. Then put in second place the additional things you would like to do. Examine the list for anything that you can delegate to others. Don’t forget to celebrate each goal you achieve.

2. Make the most of your negative thoughts

In times of stress, it is normal that we start to doubt ourselves or blame others for the situation we are in. Use these negatives as a learning tool to create an action plan. Link each action to your passions. What was originally a negative can now become a positive that will keep the negative emotions related to a problem at bay.

3. This stressful situation is not your only opportunity

Sometimes people can put too much pressure on themselves that every event seems to be a life or death scenario. Really, not achieving this opportunity isn’t going to cause anyone to die. Take the pressure off of yourself by remembering that there are more possibilities just around the corner.

4. Know what to do in the worst-case scenario

Planning for the worst and hoping for the best doesn’t mean having a negative mindset. It is about having a plan in case the worst does happen. Without being overly-dramatic, if you can prepare for some unexpected circumstances, you will be able to respond better under stress. For example, what happens if there’s a lot of traffic on the way to your presentation? Do you have a plan B? You will feel more prepared, and this will reduce the stress you feel.

5. Find ways to calm yourself down

You need to have a few tricks up your sleeve that will calm you down in an instant for those moments of high pressure that often lead to anxiety. Take a quick walk to change the scenery, go to the bathroom and dance to your favourite song, meditate, or squeeze a stress ball. Use whatever tactic works for you. But the most effective are those that take your mind away from the cause of the stress.

6. Concentrate on what has to be done instead of the outcome

When you genuinely engage your brain on that crucial task at hand, there is little time to think about the results. Rather than worrying if something is going to go wrong, use all of your energy to complete the task.

7. Take time and take control

As the clock is counting down in the hours before a deadline, it’s too easy to start trying to speed everything up. But going faster means you lose control of the situation. You don’t have the time to listen to others effectively and you can act too quickly—often without all of the information. It might seem counterproductive, but you need to slow down and take control of the situation. Take a few minutes to revise your plan if necessary, reassess the goals, and the rewards for renewing your motivation.