How to manage stress at work?

Managers or ICs, stress is always there, just at different levels and ways. An IC can be stressed by the overload of work, or the unexpected blockers while resolving something that can prolong the deadlines, while a manager is stressed by the deadlines, the ROI, and the unexpected unavailabilities of employees on critical projects. However, whatever the reason for stress may be, it is bad for physical, mental, and emotional health. Let's see all the ways in which we can minimize stress.

Start the day with motivation

Remember the good old days at school? When you have a clear morning routine that includes your prayer time? Yeah. Once we get older, we feel life changes, and as adults we don't need them. However, whatever age you may be in, motivation is necessary for everyone. It can be in the form of self-help books, videos, meditation, or some group you follow on twitter. Or it can just be your daughter's smile in the morning, to remind you of your life's purpose. All that matters is you getting boosted and self-motivated to clear all the tasks on your plate.

If you are looking for promotions to move into senior roles or top management, you need to ensure you are already self-motivated enough and energetic when it comes to your job.

Burn the stress by burning your fat

This is a crucial practice one must follow to reduce burnouts and depressions irrespective of the stress. Initially, you may seem all good. However, the stress slowly keeps building if you don't burn it out, and explode in a way that you might be embarrassed to handle. And nothing like your morning workouts. It helps you stay motivated throughout the day and handle unexpected surprises mindfully.

"The only bad workout is the one that didn't happen."

Block your calendar at least 30 minutes for your hobby every day

Life is what happens to you while you are making other plans. Do you know, 70% of the people are doing jobs that they do not like. Only after several years do they feel bad for not pursuing their passion. So, dedicate some time to your passion every day. Who knows the efforts could compound and life can give you an opportunity to make some great money of the most passionate thing in your life!! But be involved in that process until that happens, and don't give up on your efforts!

Slow down your thinking and take deep breaths

Sometimes even without your knowledge, your heartbeat would increase rapidly due to the anxiety the stress causes you, which can cause a lot of negative thoughts within you. All you need to do is, take some long and deep breaths. Close your eyes, stand next to a window, or have a cup of coffee or fresh juice. Wash your face in cold water, and suddenly you would feel a calm mind that would tell you "This is not the end of the world."

If possible sit in a quiet place in your recreational room and meditate for 15 minutes, or observe the presence. Sometimes, even better ideas strike when you stop obsessing over your difficulty.

Read self-help books or listen to a podcast

If you are a very ambitious person, your mindset matters the most. And you need to be persistent until you achieve your goal. Hence, make reading a habit. To make the best use of your time, listen to influential podcasts when you are on your cab to the office. See, how quickly you start unwinding unimportant things and in your life and your life takes off in your desired direction.

Recall the times when you have conquered the impossible

There are testing times that can cause you the maximum stress. Happens. So, when you feel you are at the lowest, remember the times when you have done great things in life before. Sometimes, all the learnings are forgotten as life progresses, and nothing can boost you more than your own achievements. If there are specific objects like a reward, a photo, a certificate, or a medal, take a look at it. Spend some time to feel the accomplishments. Cherish it once again as it happened just now. And you will see a stronger self evolve in you saying "If I were able to do it at a younger age, why can't I do it now".

Talk to a friend

As we age, we feel like we are old enough to handle everything on our own. However, the kid in us is still awake, just that we haven't given it enough attention. Talking to a friend can help you relinquish all the good times in your lives. Sometimes they would even remind you of your capabilities that you have forgotten or didn't know yourself. The happiness of your conversation can make you stronger and feel more confident.

Find a Mentor

While a friend can help you cheer up instantly, they may not be the right person for you to solve your problem. Maybe because they have not gone through your problem yet, or because you are traveling different life paths. So, reach out to senior people in your organization, or find one on LinkedIn. However, make sure they can help you understand the complete problem and help you see the blind-side to help you grow and to resolve the root cause of your stress.

At the end of the day, the ultimate question is who was stronger "The stress or you?". That is exactly why we recommend to stay motivated to get the work done that is causing you stress (or to solve the root cause) than to find other alternatives to escape out of the situation.