Everyone suffers from stress in one way or another. However, not everyone is willing to admit it. And that’s especially true when you’re on the job.
Often, people in charge feel they must set a perfect example and always be in complete control. The perception is that a failure to do so would cause others to worry. Executive stress runs especially high in small businesses because managers work in closer proximity to employees, clients and customers and tend to be more involved with their frustrations and concerns.
The most common manifestations of stress are insomnia, headaches, backaches, nervousness, stomach distress and high blood pressure. If you suffer from any of these symptoms on a regular basis, you might need to find a way to defuse.
The first step in relieving stress is to acknowledge it. The next step is to relieve it. While exercise or meditation works wonders for some, it may bore others to tears.
Here are a few additional techniques to help you control on-the-job tension:
– Be Kind — To yourself, that is. There is nothing inherently wrong with being stressed out. Don’t beat yourself up for feeling the way you do.
– Give Yourself Some Credit – Don’t let stress get you down or make you feel unaccomplished or unproductive. Give yourself credit for the things that you have done, no matter how small.
– Be Open-Minded — Meditation and yoga may look silly, but if they work, they’re worth it. The more willing you are to experiment with different stress-relieving techniques, the more likely you’ll be to find something that helps.
– Be Calm — Don’t fight stress. If you accept your feelings, you’ll have an easier time handling them.
– Be Aware of Your Feelings — Keep a log or a journal where you record what’s happening when you’re feeling anxious at work. By reviewing the journal, you may notice that a particular person, situation or type of assignment tends to make you feel tense. Once you identify the cause of your tension, finding a solution is that much easier.
Just like fingerprints, everyone’s stress is different — from the cause to the cure. Yet the fact remains that no one’s life is completely stress-free. While it may be annoying, stress is nothing to be ashamed of or scared by. Establish what causes your stress, and determine what works best for you to relieve it. If you do, you’ll sleep better at night.
