Everyone’s job is heating up. We’re all asked to do more work
with fewer resources.
Stress management is essential to reduce the migraines, back
pains, absenteeism, personnel turnover and all of the stress
reactions that reduce productivity and make life miserable.
Here are 12 cool techniques for stress management.
DO YOUR OWN JOB – Do your own job; don’t correct others.
Focus on the job you were hired for; let management deal with
improving the department or the company. Don’t get stressed
about things that aren’t your responsibility.
ORGANIZATION – Do only the work that must be done. Get the
tools you need, even if you have to pay for them yourself, e.g.
furniture, computer programs, training. Stress management
involves prioritizing projects and routine tasks. Worry about
unfinished work only when your boss gives it high priority.
COMMUNICATION – Good feedback is one of the best stress
management techniques. Communicate with your boss and find out
what’s needed by updating them with frequent email, v-mail,
memos, and short briefings.
INTERRUPTIONS – Control your schedule. Schedule meetings with
those who want information from you and hold them to it. Be
persistent and help them to be more organized. Handle calls and
email during specific times. Develop a list of people and events
that disrupt your job and control each to meet your needs.
FAMILY TIME – The old axiom is true, “If momma ain’t happy,
ain’t nobody happy.” Prioritize and schedule family time and
stick to it. Get professional to resolve complex situations.
EXERCISE – More than 80% of doctor’s visits are stress
related. Exercise reduces stress, strengthens your immune
system, and improves your well being. Make exercise part of your
work schedule. Don’t let it cut into family time. Have fun while
you manage stress.
NUTRITION – Proper nutrition is a key to stress control.
Resist cultural and social expectations and deliberately change
your eating habits. Research the Internet and ask HR to learn
what nutrition is needed and make a plan for good stress
management.
REST – Sleep deprivation creates stress. Take charge; make
changes. Cut out late-night TV. Leave your work at the office.
Minimize weekend parties. Get new friends. Schedule eight hours
sleep and some twenty minute power naps at lunchtime.
DISCUSSION – Let people know when they bug you. They’re
probably unaware of their offense, so stay cool and have a
casual conversation about what gets under your skin. Other
stressors probably magnify these incidents, so be cautious in
what you say.
EDUCATION – Manage stress by learning all you can about your
job and your company. Become the expert even if you have to
invest your own money; it’s part of your stress management
investment.
VOLUNTEER – Help yourself by helping others. Involve other
employees and your family. Schedule once-a-week volunteer
programs to strengthen relationships at work and at home. Giving
of yourself is a good stress management technique.
PROFESSIONAL HELP – If these stress management techniques
seem impossible, you might benefit from some professional help.
Ask Human Resources or your doctor for some ideas that fit your
special needs.
Choose one or more of these stress management techniques give
them a try. Your productivity goes up and everyone benefits when
you manage your stress.
Copyright 2010 – Dale Collie – All Rights Reserved