How to . . .

NO one expects to have a stressfree work life — in fact, an absence of stress would probably be fairly boring. But when it becomes excessive, your life can become unmanageable.

“While some workplace stress is normal, excessive stress can interfere with your productivity and affect your physical and emotional health. You can’t control everything in your work environment but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless, even when you’re stuck in a difficult situation,” said Dr Judy Jaye, a stress management expert at the Stress Clinic.

Dealing with workplace stress need not mean making big changes. It may be as simple as “focusing on the one thing that’s always within your control”. Jaye had these tips to rein in your stress levels:

Take responsibility for improving your physical and emotional wellbeing. Most of us can improve our diets and include more exercise in our lives, both of which will deal with stress;

Make an effort to identify the attitudes and behaviours that add to your stress so that you can avoid them as much as possible;

Much of our stress — both at work and home — is owed to our inability to communicate with the people in our lives. Better communication skills will improve your relationships with management and your co-workers; and

Do not ignore the warning signs of stress or you will find yourself battling much bigger problems. These include: Anxiety, irritability or depression; Apathy, or loss of interest in work; Difficulty in sleeping; Fatigue; Concentration difficulties; Muscle tension or headaches; Stomach or digestive problems; Social withdrawal; Loss of sex drive; and Abusing alcohol or drugs as a way to cope. — Margaret Harris