• Publish Date: Posted about 1 month ago

Top Tips to Avoid Workplace Stress

​Stress Awareness Day 2023 is taking place on 1st November, so we are thinking about ways to avoid stress in the workplace. There is no denying that workplace stress can feel overwhelming at times, and it’s something that the majority of us have had to deal with. In fact, 74% of people said that stress has made them feel overwhelmed and unable to cope. So, if you have experienced stress at work, you are certainly not alone. There is nothing quite like the feeling of dread that comes when you realise that you might not get everything done on time, or the worry that comes with potentially ruining a project. Stress is natural, but it can get in the way of your work. Thankfully, there are things that you can do to avoid workplace stress as much as possible. How to Avoid Workplace Stress Set Realistic Goals - One of the biggest mistakes that people make is overloading themselves with work. You might be trying to do too much at once, which will cause great amounts of stress, and it could take away from your key priorities. To avoid this, set realistic goals for yourself. Not only will this help you to keep your tasks and priorities organised, but it’s a good way to motivate yourself to stay on track. Look at the Bigger Picture - A lot of day to day stress is only there for the short term, so try to focus on the bigger picture. Knowing that a hard day at work is a very small part of your career can help to put things into perspective. Similarly, instead of stressing about an individual work situation, think about it in the context of the rest of your life. Stress doesn’t need to define your entire day, month or even year. Take Regular Breaks - If you don’t take regular breaks, you are likely to find that your stress levels slowly build up. By taking regular breaks, you can improve your productivity, reduce your stress and create a more enjoyable working environment for yourself. This doesn’t have to mean leaving the office at lunchtime, it could mean taking a quick break to walk around, or making the most of your annual leave and going on holiday. Don’t Take Conflict Personally - It’s hard to avoid workplace conflict completely, but try not to take things personally. Many people feel upset when they disagree with a colleague or manager, even though some of this is likely to stem from misunderstandings or miscommunication. If you find yourself at the centre of conflict, look at the bigger picture, and try to find a resolution in a calm, fair and communicative way. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help - If you are feeling stressed at work, don’t be afraid to ask for help. This could mean asking colleagues for help on a particularly stressful task, or asking your boss to delegate some of your work to other members of the team. Stress impacts everyone at one point or another, and most people will be more than happy to help out if you need them to.​ As you can see, there are things that you can do to avoid workplace stress. Though it’s difficult to avoid workplace stress entirely, making small changes - such as taking regular breaks and asking for help - can really help to lighten the load.