By Oluchi Atoyebi (Mrs.)

Stress in the workplace is unavoidable. Modern day jobs come with high expectations, various challenges and demands. All of these and more are causes of stress at work. While workplace pressure might be normal, repeated moments of feeling stressed are not. Stress is a huge problem that affects the productivity of employees. If stress is not addressed at the right time, it can hurt the morale of the employee which in turn can affect the profit of the organization.

Choosing the right tools and techniques to manage stress are unique to every individual, as everyone’s stressors are different. Think about how you plan to apply the stress management techniques and the methods that would be most suited to where you are right now.

The effects of stress are not to be under looked or underestimated. Chronic stress can lead to real physical symptoms like headaches, increased blood pressure, anxiety and even depression. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration refers to stress as a “hazard of the workplace.” Over 70% of Nigerians consider work a significant source of their stress.

The right approach will be to find a balance between what are the realistic expectations from you at work, and what is causing you stress.

Keep reading to learn 5 things you can start doing now to manage stress in the workplace.

Start your day right
One of the best ways to have a great day is to start your day right. Create a morning routine and stick to it, plan and pick out your outfits the day before. Beginning your day right helps you feel like you in charge of the day and increases your chances of having a good day. When you have a positive mindset, you will find that you are predisposed to do things right and manage some of those stressors.

Clarify expectations and set boundaries
Clarify what the expectations are, with your deliverables, with your colleagues and supervisors. It’s important to define what the expectations are, and work assiduously to deliver excellently within those parameters. If you find it difficult to define what is expected of you and the impact that you are making, it’s easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed.

Take time to recharge and relax
When you prioritise your wellbeing and take time to recharge and relax, you give yourself the opportunity to show you fully and recharged at work to deliver excellently. Ensure that you use all your vacation days. For your everyday life, consider techniques like meditation, journaling and mindfulness.

Identify your stressors
Certain factors are relatively common with work related stress. Some common workplace stressors include:

Low salaries
Limited opportunities for growth
Unclear roles and responsibilities
Poor culture
Excessive workload.
It is advisable to keep a notebook for a period of 1 – 2 weeks and track your stressors. When you identify your stressors, you can develop specific stress management techniques to address each stressor.

Seek support
Needing help with stress is not something to be ashamed of. Asking for help from trusted friends and family members can improve your ability to manage stress. It is also advisable to speak to your supervisor, highlighting how stressors affect your productivity and how they can be of help. Your employer may also have stress management resources available through an employee assistance program, including online information, available counseling, and referral to mental health professionals, where necessary. Mentorship programmes within the organization are also a great way to build support and community.

Stay organized
A great way to handle stress is to learn how to prioritize and stay organized at every moment. Before you can prioritize, you have to set clear objectives. Make time to sit with your supervisor and clarify your Agoals, after which you decide on the areas you’d like to focus on.

Written by:

Oluchi Atoyebi (Mrs.)

Mrs. Oluchi Lynda Atoyebi, is the Principal Partner and CEO of Eclat Human Resources Consulting Limited. She is a seasoned human resource executive with several years of progressive experience in developing and executing comprehensive management strategies and structures across industries. She has achieved great results through using a people-first system. Mrs Oluchi Lynda Atoyebi has her certifications in Human Resource Management under the institutes of Chartered Institute of Management (CIPM) an MBA in Human Resource Management from the prestigious Nile University of Nigeria with her first degree in Political Science from the esteemed Amadu Bello University (ABU), she has held several executive and consulting positions and she is currently the Human Resource Director of Omaplex Law Firm, the fastest growing and pacesetting law firm in Nigeria.

With several professional certifications in HR and Etiquette, Mrs. Oluchi Atoyebi is driven by the passion to impact the lives of people positively by helping to build the capacity to become employable locally and internationally.

This passion led to the establishment of Eclat Human Resources Consulting Limited which is focused on enabling individuals and corporate bodies achieve their desired outcome through the provision of workable systems, structures, and people.