| Are you happy? Is your life flowing for you? Do you | | | | it easier to tackle more mentally demanding pieces of |
| wake up glad, glowing with health, eager to get into | | | | work as soon as you walk into the office or after you |
| work, catch up with colleagues, engage with your | | | | have had your morning coffee? Learning how to |
| customers and help them solve their problems? Or do | | | | manage your time and complete tasks on time makes |
| you dread the sound of the alarm? Hate the thought | | | | a huge difference to how you feel about your work |
| of the morning rush hour and know that your boss will | | | | load. Search online for time management courses, or |
| be demanding more and more out of you? | | | | ask your employees about the possibility of training. |
| Stress at work has a negative effect on the way you | | | | The more productive you are, the more your |
| feel about your job. It can make or break you. Did you | | | | organisation benefits. |
| know that stress is recognized as the number one | | | | 3. Manage your work space. Whether you work at a |
| killer today? | | | | desk, behind a counter or walk the stores, it is essential |
| The American Medical Association stated that stress | | | | you keep your particular work area, even if it is just a |
| was the cause of 80 to 85 percent of all human illness | | | | locker, in a way that helps you feel good about being |
| and disease. | | | | at work. Maybe you can stick up a picture of a loved |
| Furthermore, every week 95 million Americans suffer | | | | one or a possession you are proud of, or even holiday |
| some kind of stress related symptom for which they | | | | photos. Anything that uplifts your spirit and reminds you |
| take medication. Whilst the American Psychological | | | | that you are part of a wider community will help you |
| Association and the American Institute of Stress state | | | | handle stress better at work. |
| that stress levels are deeply affected by work in 62% | | | | 4. Find time to breathe in clean air. Oxygen is the most |
| of all Americans. | | | | important substance for life. Make a point of going out |
| Figures like this are quite shocking. On a personal level | | | | whenever you can and breathe. If the air in your city |
| you may know family and work colleagues who have | | | | isn't clean, learn deep breathing exercises that you can |
| had to take early retirement or go on long term sick | | | | practice throughout your day at your desk. These will |
| leave due to work related stress. | | | | help to calm and clear your mind and encourage |
| It is difficult to avoid stress and when you face undue | | | | concentration and focus. |
| pressure and demands at work, life can become | | | | 5. Talk with your colleagues. Find someone you can |
| totally miserable. | | | | trust, even if it's an on-line community support group. |
| To help yourself handle workplace stress, here are | | | | Everyone needs friends, someone to listen to you as |
| five smart tips you can use to handle stress at work. | | | | you download and share what's bugging you. Talking |
| 5 Smart Ways to Cope with Workplace Stress | | | | things through helps you to see worrying situations in a |
| 1. Look after your health. The healthier you are, the | | | | different light, and maybe your friend/support group |
| easier it is for your body to remain strong and | | | | can offer you tips based on their experience. |
| emotionally resilient. Choose one aspect of your health | | | | Stress wears you down and reduces your ability to do |
| which causes you concern, maybe your diet can be | | | | your work properly. In the long run, for your own |
| improved, or you can exercise more, or even go to | | | | personal health and wellbeing and the productivity of |
| bed earlier - just choose one area and commit to | | | | your company it is essential you find a way to handle |
| seeking help to improve that aspect of your health. | | | | stress at work. Practice any of these tips and let me |
| 2. Time management. How do you work? Do you find | | | | know if I can support you even more. |