STRESS PEAK THREE: THE EMAIL ASSAULT

If your work day feels like wall-to-wall pressure, it’s time to take some action. In fact, it was the number of patients arriving at her surgery with work-related stress that prompted GP Ellie Cannon to put pen to paper. ‘Sometimes my patients make the link, often they don’t until I start questioning them – it can be anything from constant colds and headaches, to an exacerbation of a chronic condition, like skin problems,’ she says. ‘But there’s always something you can do – even micro-activities can lead to bigger, positive changes.’ ◆ SCHEDULE YOUR DAY SO THAT YOU DON’T OVERBOOK – and include variety. Guard against squeezing just one more thing in and allow yourself breaks between activities. The UK’S ONS Labour Force Survey found that workload – tight deadlines, too much pressure – was the biggest cause of stress, anxiety and depression. ◆ SOLVE TOMORROW’S PROBLEMS TODAY. Don’t waste time worrying how you’ll react to a combative coworker/ difficult boss/undermining colleague. Instead, think through how you would manage it and mentally file it away until needed. This kind of anticipatory coping can help manage stress, according to US researchers at North Carolina State University. ◆ EAT OUT. If you’re someone who habitually eats lunch with one hand on the keyboard, take time to eat away from your desk. ◆ MAKE CONTACT. While bullying bosses and toxic colleagues can be a huge source of office stress, supportive, connected relationships are a life saver. Identify ‘your people’ and take time to chat around the coffee machine and talk face-to-face or over the phone rather than email whenever possible. ◆ BYPASS THE GOSSIPMONGERS – when people start racking up levels of discontent at work, it increases stress and anxiety levels for everyone. ◆ LEAVE ON TIME. Yes, we know it’s easier said than done but keeping boundaries creates clear divisions between work and home, protects your personal time and gives you back a sense of control.