There are two kinds of stress, eustress, and distress. Eustress consists of the Greek prefix ‘eu’ meaning good, which makes the meaning literally ‘good stress’. This kind of stress is moderate and is often seen as beneficial to those who experience it. Perhaps they will learn something from the experience and will carry on forward having improved. The opposite, distress, refers to negative stress. Distress causes pain and suffering to those who experience it, with very little to gain out of it.
In our life, we will experience both kinds of stresses. However, distress tends to leave a lasting mark that affects us in major ways. In the workplace, distress often comes in the form of something commonly called ‘workplace stress’. Often due to a conflict between the job’s demands and the employee having little control to accomplish it.
Stress is inevitable, especially in some form of workplace stress. It’s next to impossible to find a stress-free job. The best and realistic approach is to learn coping strategies to decrease potential stress. Below are some techniques you can employ to help address workplace stress.
Create Good and Comfortable Workspace
We spend most of our time in the office, so it only makes sense that our office is a place where we feel comfortable and at ease. Your workspace should be where you can feel comfortable and feel stimulated. This can be achieved by adding things that help make the space healthier and natural, while at the same time improves your efficiency in your tasks.
Try adding greenery in your office, like decorative houseplants. These do not only just improve the quality of the air that you breathe, it can also provide relief to your tired eyes. What’s more, plants also provide an ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ feeling to a room, making the space feel a bit calmer. Adding natural light to the mix vastly increases the feelings of airiness. This makes your office less suffocating, stimulating great ideas, and creating a light atmosphere. You won’t dread going to work if you like being in your working area, right?
Gossips Only Lead to Conflict
Being that we are social creatures, it’s inevitable that our personalities and ideas will clash. We often feel hurt and frustrated by this, and as a result, we look for others to share the pain with. However, by doing so we inadvertently cause strife by saying bad things about other people- which then goes around, and then becomes gossip. You know how it goes, once gossip starts it’s hard to stop.
Gossip is among the number one stressors in the workplace. It takes a toll on your mental health, and when left unchecked, can be really damaging. The best way to go about this is by simply avoiding gossip. And if there is one going around, it’s best addressed immediately- with the proper authorities, of course. Trying to resolve it on your own will only lead to more stress.
Never Multitask- Focus on One and Finish It
We often think that we can multitask. The simple reality is that we can’t. As humans, we can only focus on one thing at a time. The illusion of multitasking makes it seem like doing many things at once is ‘working hard’ and you will finish earlier. However, this only spreads your energy and concentration thin, making accomplishing the task a slow and arduous process. Which then leads to negative performance, and then bad reviews- over something you worked hard on, at that.
Instead of focusing on multiple things at once, it’s best to choose one and stick with it. Give it your full attention and concentration- it’s often at these moments where we can fully utilize our skills and create the best output that we can. This also helps you avoid being burdened by too many tasks, as you will finish one job faster than finishing five jobs. By finishing something, you will feel a sense of relief and accomplishment, versus trying to juggle multiple things at once (which often leads to frustration).
Consider a Professional
There are some things that are just out of our reach, and the best way to go about this is to hire professional help. If you feel that things are out of your control, especially in moments that you feel alone, consider seeking treatment.
If you see someone else going through a difficult time, extend a hand, and help them get help. There are a wide variety of treatment clinics for addiction, depression, and anxiety- offer to aid them in reaching out to these facilities. You might just provide the initial help that they need.