5 Ways to Manage Work Stress
Don’t Let Work Stress Get the Best of You
You come home irritated and exhausted most days. Your spouse is almost nervous to ask “how was your day?” for fear that it could spiral into something and make things worse.
Over dinner, your partner brings to your attention this pattern that you come home looking completely depleted and stressed out most days.
You tell your spouse you don’t want to talk about it so you try to focus on other things to get your mind off all the stress happening with work.
But it’s not easy.
You’re looking at your partner talking to you but all you can focus on is what your mind is telling you. Messages such as “your work wasn’t good enough” or “don’t forget about the big upcoming project and you know it needs to be a certain way or else…”
So after dinner, you tell yourself, “I just need to do a few little things for work and then I can relax.”
But you don’t and now it has been another hour of your own time that you have given to the very thing that is causing you to feel miserable.
Keep reading to learn 5 things you can do to manage your work stress.
I am an virtual anxiety therapist in Wilmington, NC, and provide therapy for high-achieving women experiencing anxiety and stress. We discuss topics such as perfectionism anxiety, feeling like an imposter, and experiencing burnout.
I offer online anxiety therapy in North Carolina and Maryland.
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Keep reading to learn tips on how to manage work stress.
5 Tips to Manage Work Stress
Stress caused by work is bound to happen. It can come from deadlines, the environment as a whole if you work in a toxic workplace, coworkers, bosses, etc. Not all stress is “bad” stress but if you aren’t careful the stress could cause bigger problems for you. Check out some of these helpful tips below to help you manage work stress more effectively.
Tip #1 for Work Stress Management: Set Clear Boundaries
Identifying and setting clear boundaries for yourself and others is always close to the top of my list when it comes to taking care of yourself and managing stress.
Boundary setting is essential because it can help to provide structure and guidelines.
Tip #2 for Work Stress Management: Use Your Time Off
This one seems like a no-brainer who wouldn’t want to use their hard-earned PTO? In reality, some folks will not and it may not be because they don’t want to but stress and anxiety in their job keep them from using the time.
Sending yourself messages of “I have to be here because what if…” or “no point in taking off because it’s just more work when I get back” only keep you stuck and feeling overwhelmed.
Taking the time off can help to relieve some of the pressure and in turn give back to yourself, even if you’re just having a staycation.
Tip #3 for Work Stress Management: Align With Your Values
This tip is important and one that should not be overlooked.
Do you know your values when it comes to the work area of your life?
Often when stress, anxiety, burnout, and prolonged unhappiness occur it can be because whatever it is you are doing or engaging in is not aligned with your values system.
Tip #4 for Work Stress Management: Don’t Avoid Thoughts and Feelings
Experiencing stress can make you feel uncomfortable and can cause your thoughts to be all over the place. This is natural and common and often that can lead to feeling out of control so only naturally you try to do things that give you a sense of control back.
Often this can take the form of avoidance and this can make things worse because maybe you stuff your feelings, procrastinate on the project, or become easily irritated and snappy with a coworker.
It’s important to work towards noticing and naming what is showing up for you at the moment so that you can work towards addressing those things.
Tip #5 for Work Stress Management: Recognize Your Support System
Lastly, know who your support system is and allow them to help you when you need it.
Asking for help isn’t always easy but it is needed.
Everyone can benefit from help and support during challenging times.
Anxiety Therapy in Wilmington, NC at Calm Waters Counseling
Experiencing work stress is never easy. It can lead to burnout and create problems in other areas of your life such as in your relationships and other personal responsibilities.
It is important to recognize when work is becoming unmanageable and creating more stress and ongoing stress.
I work with clients using a style of therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for anxiety treatment. Check out this blog to learn if Acceptance and Commitment Therapy could be helpful for you.
Learn more about ACT for anxiety.
Get started in therapy at Calm Waters Counseling by following these 4 simple steps:
Click the button below to schedule your free 15-minute consultation
Complete the brief questionnaire sent to your email before the consultation
Meet with your anxiety therapist
Start meeting your goals and living your life in rich and meaningful ways
Therapy for High Achiever Women in Wilmington, NC at Calm Waters Counseling
Learn more about me and my Wilmington, NC online therapy practice.
I specialize in working with stressed-out and anxious high-achievers. Often high-achievers are consistently working towards a goal in their work or personal life.
And while it is fulfilling to accomplish that goal, it doesn’t come without its amount of stress.
If this sounds relatable, check out the helpful services at Calm Waters Counseling, listed below:
Anxiety therapy in Wilmington, NC
Treatment for Perfectionism in Maryland
Burnout Counseling in Wilmington, NC
Therapy for Imposter Syndrome in Wilmington, NC
Online Anxiety Therapy in North Carolina
If coming into the office doesn’t work for you and fit into your schedule, virtual anxiety therapy is an option.
Attending your appointments virtually can allow for the consistency and flexibility to meet your needs.
Online anxiety therapy continues to be a popular choice among busy high-achieving women because of the effectiveness of virtual therapy and the consistency it brings.
Interested in online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for anxiety treatment?
If online therapy seems like a good option for you, click the links below to learn more about online therapy where you live.
online therapy for anxiety in North Carolina
online anxiety therapy in Maryland
Still have questions? Get some answers!
Written by: Laura Rippeon, LCSW, LCSW-C