7 Tips to Cope with Stress in the Workplace

Coronavirus has increased the pressures on businesses and, in turn, employees, up and down the UK. Being able to protect yourself from the damaging effects of stress whilst maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be crucial when safeguarding your mental wellbeing.

High levels of stress affect both your mental and physical health, the latter by disrupting your immune system.

For the disabled people who are also undertaking extra measures to shield themselves from the virus, these tips are extra essential for managing your mental health in a period of significant difficulty and stress.

1. Prioritise Your Workload

Forget multitasking, plan your tasks and activities for the day in order of their importance. Taking on numerous tasks at the same time will usually cause them all to take longer to complete. It may sound simple, but getting your most challenging jobs out of the way can make the rest of your day much more enjoyable.

2. Enhance Your Time Management Skills

It is always a good idea to create a balanced schedule to protect yourself from over-committing. This gives yourself the best possible chance of meeting strict deadlines. Additionally, learn to say no to trivial requests or tasks that can be delegated to others if you are feeling strained.

3. Take Regular Breaks

Try to get away from your desk. Even for short periods of between 5 and 10 minutes and give yourself a break. This will allow your mind to recharge and will enable you to maintain focus in the long-term. Also, having a dedicated lunch and taking a brief period outside if possible is another way of combating the mental impact of working, especially if you are in an office.

4. Reach Out to Your Colleagues

Do not be afraid of asking your work colleagues for support. Sharing your experiences with your fellow workers may provide answers to some of your problems, and merely being able to blow off some steam can help bring down stress levels.

Many employers report that their difficulty in solving accessibility issues comes from their employees being too scared to speak up. If you are struggling and your employer could reasonably assist you, you have the right to have that change. Furthermore, you don’t have to worry about the cost because it is covered by Access to Work.

5. Protect Your Sleeping Habits

Being able to get a full night’s sleep can be vital when faced with a busy day ahead of you. Having and sticking to a regular night-time routine is your biggest friend. Learning to switch-off in the evenings by closing PC and laptops and putting down smartphones at least one hour before your bedtime can help prevent sleep disruptions.

6. Make Time for Yourself

The UK works some of the longest hours in Europe, and often we sacrifice spending time on ourselves for working lengthier days. Try always to do something you enjoy at least once every day, such as a hobby or spending time with your family.

7. Identify Your Triggers

If you can identify what causes you stress, you can begin to take steps to prevent it. Once you know what your triggers are, take a step back and consider the options available. You can usually find ways to resolve them and change the circumstances that cause them.