Feeling frazzled? Try these stress-busters Good mental health helps you live and feel your best. Consider taking everyday steps like these to reduce and manage your stress. Calm your mind. You might try closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths while focusing only on the present moment. Make time each day for things you enjoy. Maybe that’s a hobby or a leisure activity, like reading a book. Get enough shut-eye. Too little sleep can increase your stress. Engage your senses. Did you know that using your senses of sight, smell, touch, hearing or taste can soothe stress? Prioritize your tasks. What must be completed today? What can wait? Take a play break—you’re never too old. The endorphins your body makes during these upbeat moments can help relieve stress. Check in with your doctor too If your stress feels overwhelming, talk to your doctor. They can offer more advice to help you manage stress. Sources: American Heart Association; American Psychological Association; HelpGuide If you have a job, you probably have stress, and that’s not always bad. In moderation, stress can help you focus and get work done. But if your job is very stressful for a long time, especially when that stress seeps into other areas of your life, it could hurt your health and well-being. Over time, stress can cause a lot of problems. Body aches, headaches, stomachaches, trouble concentrating and sleepless nights are just a few of the ways work stress can show up outside the office. Stress can also make you feel angry, lonely, isolated and depressed. It’s even linked to serious conditions like heart disease. What causes work stress? It could be any number of things, including: ● Heavy workloads. ● Clashes with co-workers, supervisors or customers. ● Job insecurity. ● Lack of control over your work. ● Pressure to take on new or unexpected responsibilities. ● Having tasks to complete outside of normal work hours. Less stress and better work-life balance You can’t always avoid work stress. But these strategies may help you manage it and Managing job stress: Find your work-life balance set healthy boundaries between work and home: Protect your personal time. Can you avoid working late or checking work emails or taking calls in the evenings and on weekends? If so, you might turn those hours into quality time with your family. Find time for life outside of work. If all you do is work, you’ll burn out. Find time in your schedule for activities you enjoy. Plan a vacation or a long weekend. You might return to work recharged and with a fresh perspective. Review your job description. Ask your supervisor for an updated list of your duties. Some tasks you’ve taken on may belong to others. Don’t overload yourself. Try to avoid putting too much into one day. Figure out what must get done now, and move other tasks down your priority list. Take care of yourself. Do your best to get enough sleep, exercise regularly and eat nutritious foods. Find a good listener. Friends, family and co-workers may lend an ear and offer support. If you feel overwhelmed by stress, you can also ask your healthcare provider for help. Sources: American Psychological Association; HelpGuide
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