Stress Management in the Workplace

     Managing time and stress in the workplace has become a way of life for many. Trying to find balance is critical to success. We become over laden with deadlines and the pressures of getting a job well done. As human beings we find ourselves under managed. We put all our time and energy into just trying to keep up, constantly pushing ourselves to do more and be better. What we don't realize is how important it is for us allow ourselves to draw on all aspects of our beings. We are human beings, not human doings. Treating ourselves as a whole by means of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well being allows us to thrive and keep our balance in the workplace.

TIPS

1.  During the day take time to get up from your desk or take a well deserved break and stretch in order to give recognition to your body. Breathe deeply and allow your mind to focus on your body and posture. Closing your eyes and going into yourself can be very grounding. Recognizing where you are holding your stress and breathing into it allows tention to be released. Simply stretching and bringing your awareness back to your body can relieve physical distress that may affect you later in the day or at night.

2.  Mental focus can also be a challenge at times when you feel overwhelmed by stressors. With so much on your plate and so many distractions, it at times can be self-defeating. Staying focused on one task until you've met your goal can take practice. We tend to get into one thing and then become distracted by unexpected interruptions. Once the focus is gone we need to learn a way to reconnect. There are simple, quick meditations we can do to bring ourselves back to focus. Visualization of your project or task is also helpful. Circular breathing is a great way as well of bringing yourself back. Keeping focused is important to feel like you've accomplished your goals for the day, and even if you haven't fullfilled all that you expected to, remember you did the best you could and recognize what you did accomplish. We are our own worst enemies when it comes to stress.

3.  The emotional components of stress in the workplace may be one of the biggest hurdles. Our relationships with co-workers, our boss, clients, can be difficult at times. Our expectations of others and ourselves and their expectations of us can take its toll. It can lead to frustration and low self-esteem. This only causes self-defeating attitudes and poor performance leading to more stress. By using simple meridian tapping techniques such as EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) one can release these negative emotions quickly and efficiently, bringing themselves back to a healthier attitude. If we out of the game of tit-for-tat and don't give it energy then the other person is unable to play anymore. Your reaction to stress andyour reactions to other attitudes are essential to maintaining your energy and work performance.

4.  The spiritual aspect in the workplace to help with stress is to remember your values, beliefs, and why you do what you do. By remembering your beliefs and who you are gives depth and demention to your work attitude. It is also important to remind yourself to be tolerant of others beliefs. Just because your apple apple doesn't look like Susan's apple doesn't make yours anymore ripe or tastier. Taking time to to communicate with whatever your higher belief system is gives you a strength and power that translates into a better work ethic and a stronger sense of self. You know who you are and no matter what stressful situation you find yourself in, you can trust yourself to handle it to the best of your ability.

    Learning to manage stress can be a pleasure and knowing you have the tools to cope with stress is a comfort. It is a part of self-care. If we don't take care of ourselves we become beaten down and fall ill to any host of physical and emotional ailments. We have trained ourselves to except belief systems that are unhealthy and diminish our abilities to serve in this world as productive and happy human beings. We have become a twenty-four hour society and feel guilt ridden when we are not "doing". We pay little attention to our overall health and most Americans only address their total health when absolutely necessary. By engaging in all levels of ourselves we become more well rounded individuals and feel better about ourselves, our professional lives, and our relationships, while opening the door to becoming more prosperous in all areas of our lives.

Victoria Welch / Director of Tree of Life