Is Workplace Stress Killing You? Try These 6 Ways to Deal With It

Workplace stress leaves you feeling exhausted, dreading the next day, and often sad. Being always under tremendous pressure at work is no way to live your life. And it’s not like it’s possible to leave this stress in the office. Stress has a habit of following us home and affecting our personal lives too. But isn’t the idea of workplace stress killing us a little dramatic?

Is Workplace Stress Really Killing Us?

Workplace stress has a profound impact on our abilities to learn and solve problems. What is worse, the tension in the office has direct links to mental health and mortality. Not being able to mentally or physically handle the stress at work increases the likelihood of premature death.

According to PayScale, job stress accounts for 120,000 annual deaths in the U.S. In Europe, 550 million working days are lost due to work-related stress. Long hours and low pay increase the conflicts at home. This combination can lead to negative behaviour like overeating, not exercising enough, drinking too much alcohol, and taking illegal drugs. Several chronic health problems arise from these negative behaviours—significantly—heart disease.

COVID-19 has only increased the problems related to job stress. Many people are having to work from home and juggle the responsibilities of work with their family responsibilities. Uncertainty in the workplace and job insecurity impacts the levels of stress in our lives.

It is becoming more and more essential to learn how to deal with workplace stress. Learning to cope with the excessive levels of stress will not only improve your life, but it will also probably extend it.

6 Ways to Deal with Workplace Stress

1. Recognize the signs of workplace stress

Are you tired or suffering from headaches? Do you find it difficult to sleep and concentrate? Are you nervous, irritable, or even depressed? Even stomach issues can be related to workplace stress. If you can spot the symptoms earlier on, you will be in a better position to deal with them.

2. Create positive relationships in the workplace

Most of us work for long hours, and it is vital to be happy at work. For this to happen, it’s crucial to have co-workers that we can call friends. Not to just complain to each other all day because this will create a negative atmosphere. Our office friendships can be a vital tool for support in times of need. You should be able to get things off your chest but also take about non-work-related topics.

3. Start to look after yourself more

It may not be possible to find the time to go to the gym or even hit the 30-minute daily activity. A great practice is to start your day with some form of cardio exercise—a 10-minute run, or 10-minute Zumba session online. This will boost the oxygen levels in your body, increase your energy levels, and improve your focus. You can also try and take 10 minutes after lunch to go for a walk. This change of scenery will lower your stress levels and help you cope throughout the afternoon.

4. Make small changes to your diet that will have a significant impact

Sugary snacks may give you an energy rush, but they also lead to energy crashes. It is more sensible to have a high protein snack that will release energy over a more extended period. Omega-3 fatty acids play a significant role in lifting your spirits. And instead of reaching for the coffee, try replacing it with a glass of water.

5. Concentrate on your attitude and mentality

Positive thinking is easier said than done. But optimism is great for pushing the stress to one side. If you struggle to see the positive, look back at your successes and take inspiration from them. Forget about anything that you do not have control over. There is no point in stressing over these things. And, take the pressure off of yourself by remembering that not everything has to be perfect.

6. Find support from those around you

As well as colleagues in the same position, you should lean on friends and family when the stress is too much for you to handle alone. Learn how to talk about your emotions so that you can process them rather than let them eat away at you. Talking to other people may offer practical solutions that you hadn’t thought of.