Stress in the workplace is something that affects many people. It is something that every employer has a legal duty to do something about and stress management is attracting a lot of interest. This morning, the subject “Stress management” returned 6.88million hits in Google and 201,000 people searched on the phrase in the last month alone. The good news is that it means you are no alone!
I often find that clients feeling the effects of stress have these factors in common:
- They feel that they don’t have anybody they can talk to about it.
- They fear that if they bring the subject up, it will impact their future career progression within the organisation.
- They worry that asking for help is saying that they can’t do their job.
- They feel that they should be able to cope with all that they’re experiencing.
- The fear that asking for help is admitting defeat.
- They don’t know what they can do about it.
Perhaps you relate to some, or all, of these points.
Let me share with you part of my background. I was in the position where I was working extremely long hours. I was taking on everything that was asked of me because the voice in my head said “if they’re asking you to do it, then they think you can manage”. I didn’t want to say “I can’t cope”. As well as work pressure, there were other factors outside work, including the death of a close friend. I recognise now that I had many of the symptoms of high stress levels and this continued for many months, compounding the problem. It had a detrimental effect on my home life, my work, my relationships with colleagues and my own feeling of self worth. I reached burnout point.
For this reason, I can say with complete integrity: “I know how you feel” and, more importantly, “I know that it can be different”.
If you are suffering from stress at work, what can you do about it?
Top three stess management tips
1. The first step, and perhaps one of the hardest things, is to acknowledge what is going on. Now, take a deep breath and congratulate yourself. It may be the first time you’ve recognised there is a problem.
2. Identify all the ways in which your stress levels are causing you problems. List them now. See what you are putting up with. Do you want it to continue? Would you like it to change?
3. Give yourself permission to ask for help. It is OK to seek the appropriate support. In fact, I’d argue that it is the responsible thing to do.
One of the ways you can find solutions to your levels of stress is to work with a coach, like Nikki Wild at Wild Empowerment, who is experienced in helping clients in this area.
10 benefits of stress mangaement coaching:
1. You regain control now. You have made a conscious choice that you will turn things around and the coaching process ensures that you are in control every step of the way. No more dancing to somebody else’s tune. You make the choices and select what comes next.
2. You implement strategies that work and that enable you to manage what you are doing. You don’t have to fit into somebody else’s mould. You find what works for you.
3. You have a confidential sounding board. You can work with somebody independent from the organisation knowing that what you disclose will remain between you and your coach. You don’t need to worry about the boss thinking you can’t cope.
4. Flexibility of when and how often you work with your coach means that this is part of the solution, not adding more stress. The sessions fit around your schedule.
5. If this is part of your development plan, you could receive external funding towards the investment in the programme. Contact us to apply for Train to Gain funding of up to £1,000.
6. Peace of mind returns and you can think clearly again. Often there is so much mind chatter that it is hard to concentrate and focus on what is important.
7. No more dreading Monday morning. Working with your coach, you reconnect with what it is that motivates you about your work so that you look forward to Monday morning.
8. Improved health as a result of reducing the symptoms of stress. The impact of excessive stress on things like sleep, appetite and other health areas are well publicised.
9. Build your support network. Part of the coaching process allows you to establish who else is on your side so you have your own network of cheer leaders to call on when you need that extra boost.
10. Relaxation replaces tension. Reminding yourself how to relax body and mind, shutting off the mind chatter, means that the body can implement it’s natural mechanisms to remove the harmful stress chemicals. Did you know that when you experience high levels of stress, IQ levels drop by 20% because of the chemical activity in the brain? 5 minutes relaxation has the same benefit as 20 minutes exercise and you can do it at your desk without anybody noticing!
Your next step
What are your stress levels at the moment? Are they something you would like to reduce?
If you’d like to do something about your stress, Wild Empowerment is offering a confidential, complimentary stress audit during the month of October to the first ten interested parties. That’s just ten places available so contact us now to secure your place and take the first step towards a stress free working day.
What you get:
In this complimentary 45 minute call (value £147),
- you will get three sure fire ways to instantly help your stress levels,
- you will identify your key stress triggers so that you are aware of the “danger zones”
- you will create your action plan for what to do next.
Once you register, you will be contacted to schedule the call at a time that is mutually convenient. We will work around your other commitments.
So, act now and register your interest while it’s fresh in your mind. The solution to your stress is only a mouse click away!
If you are an employer, you may be interested that the CIPD have published a guide on Stress in the Work Place. Follow the link to download it from the CIPD website.
If you know somebody who is experiencing high levels of stress, why not forward them the link to this article?
