Managing Stress

You get to work feeling tired and irritable. Maybe you did not sleep well the night before or perhaps you have a busy morning routine. This may include getting your kids ready for school, packing lunches and dropping them off all before you begin your own commute to work. Whether you are a nurse coming in to relieve the night shift staff, bank manager opening the branch, school teacher getting your class room ready for the day it can be stressful. Inevitably things never go quite as planned and you get behind on the morning tasks before you have barely begun your day. Before you know it your heart is racing and you feel the tension headache starting to brew and you ask yourself, “How can I get control of this stress and anxiety I’m feeling? Managing stress of any kind can be challenging.

If you are feeling this level of stress and anxiety on a regular basis and you need help coping please call us today at 859-314-1281. Here are some strategies that can help you stay on top of any situation without letting it get the best of you:

1. Get plenty of rest at night (7-8 hours of sleep)
2. Eat a healthy breakfast to give you energy (limit the sugars and caffeine)
3. Take deep breaths as you start to recognize the increase in stress level.
4. Try some stretching exercises to help loosen tense muscles
5. Assess immediate priorities
6. Focus on accomplishments rather than uncompleted tasks
7. Once you have prioritized your tasks, complete the most undesirable ones first.
8. Set realistic expectations of yourself
9. Pay attention to negative self talk. Rather than, “Ill never get this done.” Say things such as, “Slow down, You can handle this. Just do the best you can.”
10. Ask for help when you need it.

Here are some helpful links to help you manage your work stress:

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/work_stress_management.htm
http://www.forbes.com/fdc/welcome_mjx.shtml
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/stress-management/in-depth/coping-with-stress/art-20048369

How to Manage Work Stress was written by Carrie Koontz, MSW, LCSW, as the manager of our Richmond Counseling, Therapy, and Psychiatry location. You can view the details of that office here : Richmond KY Counseling, Therapy, and Psychiatry