In continuing with my series on ways we can alleviate stress, I’d love to discuss the dreaded old workplace. One of the most stressful places a person can be is at work. In this day and age, the workplace is an unavoidable cause of stress and headache in many of our lives. Changing the dynamics at work can sometimes prove to be impossible, mainly because we cannot control other people (as much as we may want to think we can). If someone is not willing to change, there is very little anyone can do about it. But there is a major part of the equation that we tend not to see when it comes to alleviating stress at work. This major factor is you. We may not be able to change our coworker’s personality or our boss’ communication style; we can however control what we can do to deal with it.
I am a big believer that emotions are a state of mind. The way we react and deal with things depends on perspective more than fact. If you want to make work a more enjoyable experience, change the way you deal with those experiences.
Any time you can take aside to do what you love, do it. On my desk, I always keep a spare headphone. If I am writing counseling notes, doing paperwork, entering data, etc., I have Pandora on my computer and my headphones in my ear. Not only does this provide me with the opportunity to relax, it also keeps me out of any office gossip, drama or irritations that go on daily
Another idea that will help when dealing with a stressful or annoying workplace is to try and make as much time for meditation as you can. Try to go to the bathroom for five minutes every couple of hours. If you can, go outside for those five minutes. Whatever it is, do it! Taking a five-minute break where you can breathe in and breathe out helps more than you may think. As for me, being a domestic violence counselor can be very mentally and emotionally draining. I take 30 minute breaks in between sessions so that I can regain myself mentally. But if you are not able to do that, try some other things instead. Get creative with it.
In addition to listening to music and taking a small mental break every couple of hours, I would advise you to also make good use of your lunch break!!! So many times, people do not use their lunch break wisely. Either they sit at their desk and eat, they skip lunch altogether or they only use part of their lunch. Start using your full lunch break as just that, a break. It is a time to mentally refuel. If you do not go out to eat lunch, trying eating at a coworker’s desk or in the cafeteria so that you force yourself to be away from your desk. If you cannot do that, listen to some music while you eat. Whatever you do, make it known that this is your time to relax. I have recently learned to use my lunch break efficiently. Instead of working while eating like before, I have learned not to take any calls or do anything work related for that hour. It is MY TIME. Sometimes I take a nap, sometimes I surf the Web, sometimes I use the time to run errands. Whatever works for you, use it.
Moreover, there are some other things that might also help when feeling stressed at work. Attitude and perception have a lot to do with almost everything in life. Change the way you view situations/people and you will find a big difference in the affect they have on you. For instance: there are a multitude of personalities at my job. What I find that works for me is to keep a boundary with my coworkers. For most of them, I only talk and converse about work related issues when it is necessary. That way, I have managed to avoid being disrespected, involved in gossip or any other types of unnecessary headaches. When it comes to work related stress, I mentally prepare by realizing that this is just part of the job. I do not take it personally. If someone else has issues communicating effectively, being organized, etc., learn that this is something that is not your issue to take on. Do not internalize anything that does not already come from within. As a whole, I constantly see people take someone else’s problems and make it personal. Once you learn to separate the two, you will find that coping with issues at work will suddenly become that much easier.
For further reading check out another article in this mental health and awareness series:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8361939/turning_a_place_into_a_home_why_where.html