3 ways to reduce stress at work

Did you know that 3.7 million working days are lost in the UK each year as a result of stress? In this article, we share our top tips for reducing stress at work and prioritise your mental health.

1.Get familiar with your triggers 

Perhaps there’s a certain task at work that you dread each week because it sends your blood pressure into a frenzy, or a certain client that never seems to be satisfied. Whatever it is that sends your stress levels off-balance at work, the first step is identifying it. Next, you need to take action. We recommend talking to your manager to see if anything can be adjusted to help make work a better environment for you. If there is no support system in place, then it might be time to look for a new role! It is also a good idea to have coping strategies in place that you can go to whenever you feel yourself getting worked up. Ideas might include listening to music, taking time away from your desk or making tea/coffee. Having social plans to look forward to at the end of the day may also help with motivation. 

2. Exercise & eat well

When we exercise, we release feel-good endorphins that help lower stress levels. Try getting at least an hour of exercise in a day – even if this is just a brisk walk on your lunch break. The trick to maintaining a regular exercise routine is to find something you actually enjoy. If the thought of going on a run makes you want to curl up and get back into bed, for example, then it’s not the exercise for you…If you’re a beginner you could try a dance workout on YouTube (it’s a Zumba wonderland!) or hire a bike with a friend after work – anything that motivates you to get up and going!

Looking after your physical health also means eating well, for example: 

• Starting your day with breakfast – savoury is best if you want to avoid a spike in glucose.
• Getting your 5 a day (need we mention this one?) 
• Staying hydrated – remember; tea, juice and soft drinks count towards your recommended 6-8 cups of liquid a day, but be wary of the caffeine, sugar and chemical levels in each.
• Snacks are good and keep your energy up but make sure they’re sustainable for concentration levels/slow release e.g. oats, nuts, berries and dark chocolate! 

3. Talk to someone 

Bottling up your emotions is never good and almost always ends up you snapping at the wrong person, at the wrong time. Instead, talk to a trusted colleague, family member or friend about what’s on your mind. Getting your problems off your chest will help you realise you’re not alone and support is always out there.

Visit the Mind website if you need further professional advice or want to speak to someone. 

Drop us an email via [email protected] if you’re interested in any of our interim roles or seeking career advice.