Simple Strategies to Combat Work Stress

Work stress is one of the most pressing concerns globally. Despite many workplaces striving to ensure a healthy work-life balance for their employees, deadlines, extra work pressure, and excessive responsibilities can often lead to anxiety and stress, adversely affecting mental health.

In an insightful interview with HT Lifestyle, Debasmita Sinha, Chief Psychologist and Senior Director of Clinical Excellence at Manah Wellness, addressed the issue of work stress. She stated, “Stress has always been a part of our life. Stress at work is not new. Calling work stress an epidemic would be making a villain of something that is useful to have in good measure, has always been there, and cannot be eliminated. Stress is a natural response to a situation so that we are able to react appropriately for our physical and emotional safety. If there’s an epidemic, it’s our inability to deal with or address stress at work. Let’s focus on eliminating this inability.”

So, how can we better manage stress at work? Here are some practical tips:

Destigmatize Stress

First, we need to change our perspective on stress. Instead of viewing it solely as a negative force, recognize that it can be useful in moderation. By unlearning the common misconceptions about stress, we can approach it more constructively.

Acknowledge the Existence of Stress

The next step is to accept that stress is a part of our lives. Denying its presence or resigning ourselves to it doesn’t help. Instead, we must resolve to address its impact on our well-being. Many of us struggle with this initial acknowledgment.

Learn Skills to Manage Stress

Developing skills to recognize and manage stress is crucial. Techniques such as breathing exercises, relaxation practices, and meditation can significantly help in reducing stress levels. Becoming self-aware of when we are stressed is the first step towards managing it effectively.

Identify Stress Triggers

Understanding what causes stress is essential. It could be the environment, specific situations, or certain people. By identifying these triggers, we can take steps to avoid them or adopt best practices to manage and prevent stress when these triggers are unavoidable.

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By addressing the inability to manage work stress, rather than vilifying stress itself, we can create a healthier, more productive work environment. It’s about acknowledging stress, understanding it, and equipping ourselves with the tools to handle it better. This proactive approach can help us combat the growing concerns of work-related stress and lead to a more balanced and fulfilling work life.

Q&A

Q: What is the main concern about work stress globally?

A: The main concern is that deadlines, extra work pressure, and excessive responsibilities can lead to anxiety and stress, adversely affecting employees’ mental health.

Q: How does Debasmita Sinha view work stress?

A: Debasmita Sinha views work stress as a natural part of life that has always been present. She believes that labeling it as an epidemic is misguided and that the real issue is our inability to manage stress effectively.

Q: Why should we destigmatize stress?

A: We should destigmatize stress because it can be useful in moderation and is a natural response to challenging situations. Changing our perspective on stress can help us handle it more constructively.

Q: What is the first step in managing stress?

A: The first step in managing stress is acknowledging its existence and resolving to address its impact on our well-being, rather than denying or resigning ourselves to it.

Q: What are some skills that can help manage stress?

A: Skills that can help manage stress include breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and meditation. These practices can reduce stress levels and improve self-awareness.

Q: How can identifying stress triggers help in managing stress?

A: Identifying stress triggers, such as certain environments, situations, or people, allows us to avoid them when possible or adopt best practices to manage and prevent stress when they are unavoidable.