What is Stress & How Does It Impact Your Work Performance?
Stress is an unavoidable part of life and work. It can be caused by a number of different factors, including work-related issues, personal relationships, or even the environment. It’s important to understand how stress can affect your work performance and productivity so you can take steps to reduce it and improve your overall wellbeing. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of stress, its causes and effects on workplace performance, as well as strategies for managing it.
There are two major types of stress: acute and chronic. Acute stressors are events that cause an immediate, short-term change in a person’s performance or mood. Chronic stressors are events that can cause prolonged problems with one’s workplace productivity and well-being. Acute stressors can cause us to feel stressed, but they usually don’t last long. An example of an acute stressor might be getting into a traffic accident on the way to work. Chronic stressors are more difficult to manage because they build over time and have longer-lasting effects on our health and well-being.
1. Take Regular Breaks
Taking regular breaks throughout the day is essential for productivity and avoiding burnout. Short breaks can help you recharge and refocus, allowing you to be more productive and creative. They also give your mind a chance to rest from the stresses of work, which can improve your mental health and wellbeing.
Regular breaks are also important for physical health, as they give you time to stretch, move around, and get some fresh air. This can help reduce eye strain and neck pain caused by sitting in one position for too long. Taking regular breaks throughout the day is an important part of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
2. Keep a To-Do List
Keeping a to-do list is an essential part of managing your daily tasks and staying organised. It helps you prioritise tasks, keep track of what needs to be done, and make sure that you don’t miss any important deadlines. With a to-do list, you can easily break down complex tasks into smaller ones and focus on completing them one by one.
A task list can also help you stay motivated and focused on the goal. By having a clear view of what needs to be done, it is easier to stay focused on the task at hand instead of getting distracted by other activities. Additionally, keeping a daily checklist helps you keep track of your progress and know when it’s time for a break or reward yourself for completing the task.
While a to-do list can be effective, it is not always enough. Sometimes, you need more than just a list of tasks to keep track of what needs to be done. For example, if you are working on a project with multiple deadlines or milestones, then it’s important for you and your team members to know when each deadline falls so that no one misses anything important. We’ll cover this in a bit more detail later in the blog.
3. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools for relieving stress and anxiety. Through these techniques, we can learn to be more aware of our thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in the present moment. This awareness allows us to better manage our reactions to stressors and take control of our lives.
Mindfulness and meditation provide a variety of benefits including improved concentration, increased self-awareness, reduced stress levels, enhanced creativity, improved relationships with others, increased resilience in challenging situations and greater emotional balance.
There are many ways to practice mindfulness and meditation. The most common forms of mindfulness meditation include breath awareness, body scan, sitting meditation, walking meditation and mindful eating. There is no right or wrong way to practice mindfulness; what matters most is that you choose a method that works for you and make time in your day (even if it’s just five minutes) to practice it regularly.
4. Get Moving with Exercise
Exercise is an effective way to reduce stress and improve mental health. It can help you stay focused and productive at work, while also providing a sense of accomplishment. Regular physical activity can help you manage your stress levels, improve your mood, and even increase job satisfaction. Whether it’s taking a short walk during lunch break or incorporating more intense training into your daily routine, exercise is key to reducing work-related stress.
With regular exercise, you can become more alert and productive in the workplace while also feeling more energised throughout the day. So if you’re looking for ways to reduce stress at work, get moving with exercise!
5. Manage Time Wisely
Time management is an essential skill to have in any workplace. It can help reduce stress levels, increase productivity and efficiency, and make the workday more enjoyable. Time management skills can help you prioritise tasks, plan ahead, and use your time wisely so that you don’t feel overwhelmed or overworked. It can also help you stay organised and focused on the tasks at hand. By taking control of your time and learning how to manage it effectively, you can become a more productive worker who is able to get more done in less time.
Here are some tips and strategies to help you manage your time more efficiently:
- Set goals for the week, month and year. This will help you know what is important to accomplish and how much time you need to devote to each task.
- Make a daily schedule of tasks and activities. Break down your larger goals into smaller ones that can be completed in a day or two so that you don’t feel overwhelmed by the amount of work ahead of you.
- Understand what your priorities are. This will help you determine which tasks should be done first and how to divide up your time efficiently.
- Prioritise tasks by importance, urgency, and frequency. If a task is urgent but not important, it may be better to delegate it to someone else instead of doing it yourself. If a task is important but not urgent or frequent, schedule time in advance so that you can get it done ahead of time.
6. Connect with Colleagues and Friends
In today’s world, it is more important than ever to build strong connections with colleagues and friends. Positive relationships are essential for both personal and professional success. They can help us to stay motivated, increase our self-confidence and even improve our overall wellbeing.
Developing positive relationships with others can be difficult, but it is achievable if we take the time to invest in them. We can start by actively listening to what other people have to say, engaging in meaningful conversations and showing genuine interest in the lives of those around us. Taking the time to connect with colleagues and friends will help us build strong relationships that will last for years to come.
How Charterhouse Can Help
You’re not alone if you feel stressed at work. A recent report from The World Health Organisation (WHO) found that an estimated 12 billion workdays are lost annually due to depression and anxiety, costing the global economy nearly $1 trillion.
If you’re not happy in your current job, it’s time for a change. We’ve been helping candidates secure fantastic opportunities for over 20 years. We take pride in finding something that suits you in every way possible. But don’t just take our word for it, here’s what one of our candidates had to say recently….
“After a struggle with my previous job, I was quite lost as to what to do. Within 2 days Chaterhouse had sorted me out a new job, and before Christmas too!! They have kept frequent contact with me to make sure I am okay and also constantly hunting for new jobs for me. I couldn’t recommend more and can only thank them for their care and efforts!!! 10/10”
Olivia – Google Review – January 2023
Get in touch with our specialist team or view our latest vacancies today.
