Work-related stress has become increasingly persistent in today’s world, and it seems impossible to avoid. There are more sources of stress than ever before, and employees are struggling to stay productive without burning out. If this sounds familiar, and your job is causing you stress, here are a handful of proven approaches to reduce that stress and find balance in your life.
1. Prioritize your health
No matter what your work demands, it’s crucial that you prioritize your health. No job position, amount of money, or benefits are worth accumulating stress that forces you to sacrifice your own health.
Here are some ways you can put your health first:
- Stop working off the clock. If you’re working off the clock, stop. If you’re working a typical job, the arrangement is that you get paid in exchange for your time and skill. Don’t treat it like a charity by spending hours doing unpaid work. And don’t answer calls, texts, or emails after hours. Your employer shouldn’t have access to you after work hours unless you’re getting paid to be on call. Start enjoying your time off and live your life.
- Take time off to manage your health. If you’ve been avoiding requesting time off to get medical care, flip that around and go take care of yourself. For instance, if you’ve wanted to get LASIK eye surgery to correct a vision problem, get that taken care of now. If your boss truly cares about you as an employee, they’ll give you the time off without making you feel bad. If they won’t let you take time off, it’s probably time to find a new job.
- Don’t be an over-giver. There is a time and a place for going above and beyond when needed, but if your boss expects you to always give and never compensates you, or expects you to give more without appreciation, stop doing this. It will only drain you mentally and cause you stress.
These are just a few examples of what you can do to take care of yourself when you’re working a stressful job. It’s important to know your boundaries and enforce them, and to know when it’s time to walk away from a company that doesn’t support you. There are plenty of businesses out there that treat their employees well. You don’t have to settle for a job that makes you miserable.
2. Wear blue light blocking glasses
You’ve probably seen at least one ad for glasses that block blue light from the computer and wondered if they really work. The truth is, they work exceptionally well and are a must-have for reducing stress. The way they work is simple. The lenses block blue light from hitting your eyes. Blue light is particularly harsh and can cause eye strain. It can also disrupt your circadian rhythm, and give you sleep problems, like insomnia.
If you don’t like the idea of wearing glasses, just install a blue light blocking application on your computer. There are apps for both Windows and Mac, as well as built-in features for the iPhone and Android devices.
Since stress is linked to a range of health problems, including vision damage, the sooner you start blocking that blue light, the better.
3. Use anti-fatigue mats
If you use a standing desk for part or all of your day, try getting a good anti-fatigue mat. While almost any cushioned mat might work temporarily, it’s not the best long-term solution. Anti-fatigue mats are designed specifically to support your whole body, from your feet and knees through your spine and even your neck. These mats are engineered to take the pressure off as much as possible while providing ample support.
4. Use chair cushions
Your office chair might feel decently comfortable, while still failing to support your back. When your body feels off, even if it’s only slight, that’s a source of stress. To eliminate this issue, find a lumbar cushion designed to provide you with back support, and also make use of a seat cushion. Both of these together will give you a much better experience throughout your workday. It’s even suggested to use a foot cushion instead of keeping your feet on the floor. If you’ve never tried cushions, you’ll be surprised at the comfort they provide.
Beat stress by avoiding stressors
No job will ever be completely stress-free, but you shouldn’t be overloaded to the point where your job affects your health. By taking time to yourself, not working off the clock, and prioritizing your health, you’ll drastically reduce the amount of work-related stress in your life.