Busy Lives: Managing Stress Whilst Staying Sane

As Christmas draws closer, it is a busy time for the workforce. Targets must be met, reports must be written and projects must be completed before winding down for the holidays. It is a stressful time of the year and often becomes overwhelming especially with holidays at a tantalizing distance away. In order to stay sane and retain productivity, it is important to manage stress efficiently.

The negative effects of stress can be harmful but when managed correctly, positive stress can be used to one’s advantage.

The definition of stress is the body’s nonspecific response to a demand placed on it. This reaction can be physical, emotional or psychological.

Stress is often described as an unpleasant, negative emotion. It can make us feel out of control and excess stress can be harmful to one’s physical and mental state. Stress has many side effects. It lowers the immune system, making us more vulnerable to diseases, affects our decision-making abilities as well as often leading to anxiety and depression.

In the workforce there are often times when work piles up overwhelmingly and it becomes difficult to even find the motivation to keep going. The pressure to perform and meet rising expectations can be incredibly stressful.

Common Symptoms of Stress:

• Anxiety
• Apathy
• Fatigue
• Lack of concentration
• Social Withdrawal
• Body pain
• Anger
• Depression

However stress can also be positive. Hans Saley, one of the leading researchers in the study of stress, defined good stress as ‘eustress’. A certain level of stress in small doses can help people by acting as a cognitive enhancer. The higher levels of cortisone can help in memory and recall and also focus the brain on the task at hand. Eustress can also increase physical endurance by causing release of adrenaline. This helps increase our reflexes as well as fight fatigue. By acting as a motivator, eustress can be used to positively work to one’s advantage, especially in the workforce.

In order to stay sane and manage stress efficiently there are a number of techniques that can be applied –

Positive Relationships – Open communication is one of the best ways of handling stress. By talking to a trusted colleague and venting feelings in a controlled manner, it can calm the nervous system and relieve stress. This also builds a support system within the workplace creating a positive environment.

Take breaks – When the workload piles up, it is important to take regular breaks so the brain gets a chance to rest. When on break, it is advised to step outside in the open air and sunlight if possible, or at least to stand up and walk around instead of checking phone message or emails for the entire duration of the break.

Do Exercise – Physical movement is one of the best ways to combat stress. Simple office exercises such as stretching can be an effective way to distress your body and focus upon yourself. Deep breathing has been proven to calm nerves and helps to reduce tension and relieve stress.

Working Space – Create a clean working environment to help you prioritise. Keep non work-related items in a drawer in order to avoid temptation and keep your working space organised. Also ensure that your workspace is ergonomically correct in order to avoid body strain and increased fatigue.

Eat Well – It is important to eat well in order to stay healthy and active. When possible, choose to have lunch in the lunchroom as opposed to at your desk in order to interact with other people and take a break from being surrounded by work. Have healthy food instead of relying on caffeine boosts for energy.

Be Organised – Create a balanced schedule by sleeping on time and waking up for work on time. Finding a balance between work and personal life is essential in managing stress. Make plans for the day so you can prioritise accordingly. Having a positive attitude can also help to reduce stress, so make sure you go about your day with a smile.

As outlined, stress can be both negative and positive. However by incorporating small positive changes into your lifestyle, stress can be dealt with efficiently to increase productivity. We all lead busy lives but it is important to manage stress and stay sane.