Work Stress
Working overtime? Meeting tight deadlines? Stressed for finals? It's normal to have a variety of commitments, but sometimes they demand so much of you at once that it feels like you're being torn in five different directions. Sometimes there will be strict deadlines or hectic work schedules, but if you often find yourself in this position it may cause you unnecessary stress.
Common Causes
- Biting off more than you can chew
- Constantly thinking about ALL the things you have to do
- Thinking you're not doing enough but simultaneously feeling like you can't handle any more
- High-pressure work environment involving toxic culture
- Tight deadlines & unrealistic expectations
- Job insecurity - fear over layoffs & downsizing
- Work relationships - how you interact with your boss and coworkers
- Organizational changes (Restructuring, mergers, or management changes)
- Work-life imbalance (extremely common)
How to De-stress
- Take a deep breath, take things one step at a time, and make a to-do list.
- Although difficult, try not the think too much on the "what ifs". Rather, focus on the tasks at hand, one by one. It may be helpful to create a routine to feel more of a sense of security. Spend quality time with loved ones and, if needed, seek a mental health provider.
- Discuss grievances with employees, and take appropriate action when possible. If it is a recurring issue, bring it up with your boss.
- Make sure you're involving yourself only in things that interest you or are beneficial for you to put effort into, whether now or in the long-term.
- Quality over quantity! If you're a student preparing for college, for example, keep in mind that it's better to consistently be involved in and impact a few activities rather than stretch yourself thin between a long list of surface-level activities.
Resources
We are not trained professionals, so if any of this advice does not work for you, please seek further help from medical professionals.