How To Handle Work Stress

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Balance can be difficult as a parent. Stop piling on so many things and check out my guide for how to handle work stress that will be life-changing.

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Normally my motto is “pile it on”, but today my plate is full. OVERWHELMED is my all-encompassing word of the day (possibly the week), and I need a break! I usually tend to be the kind of person wh0 needs to have a million things on my to-do list, or else I get bored. I find extreme amounts of satisfaction as I successfully complete tasks and cross them off my list. I love watching the list get smaller and smaller, until I add more, of course. But every once in a while, there comes a time when adding that last item to the very bottom of my list can really push me over the edge. But lately, I’ve needed to learn how to handle work stress for my own well being.

I normally don’t know when it’s coming; this feeling seems to just creep up upon me. It’s like I hit my breaking point, and there is no turning back.

Tips for how to handle work stress

According to kidshealth.org: “Stress is a feeling that’s created when we react to particular events. It’s the body’s way of rising to a challenge and preparing to meet a tough situation with focus, strength, stamina, and heightened alertness.” It is important to note that there are such things as ‘good stress’ and ‘bad stress’, and even more important to know how to tell the difference. Good stress gives us the motivation to do something really well through practice and planning, or to react in a certain manner during emergency situations. Bad stress stays with us for the long term and can have negative effects on our overall health.

After continuing my research, I found that there are some definite signs to look for within ourselves that are trying to give us important messages like “Slow down pretty lady, you are about to push yourself over the edge.” As hard working Mamas, we sometimes ignore these signs and try to push onward so that we don’t miss out on events, get behind on our work, neglect cleaning, or spend too little quality time with our children. We all have our excuses, but it is truly time to STOP ignoring these signs and listen to our bodies. (Kid’s Health.)

Signs that our plate is getting too full:

feelings of anxiety or even panic attacks
physical side effects such as upset stomach and headaches
depression
increased amounts of drinking, drugs, overeating, or smoking
sleepless nights
mood swings
allergic reactions

How to handle work stress in a few simple steps

Now that we are aware of the warning signs to look for, we need to figure out what works best for us to help handle and overcome the stress. There are obviously positive and negative ways to deal with stress, so we all need to make sure that we are putting the negative approaches (overeating, screaming and yelling, neglecting the task at hand, picking a fight with our partner, etc) aside and pursue a more positive outlook. What works for me may not work for you, but I can at least offer my fellow mothers some techniques that I have used that are worth giving a try!

1. Retail Therapy

Come on! You knew I was going to say it! For me, adding a new accessory or outfit to my closet seems to erase away whatever stress had taken over my body. The whole process of shopping excites me and helps take my mind off of things. But, be careful to stay within your budget, or this trick of the trade could cause money stress. Here’s how to shop on only a $100 monthly budget – or less!

2. Work-out

Whatever form of exercise that you like the best would be the best option here. This allows you to channel your stress into doing something positive for your body. I personally love to run, box, or do yoga. I have found that when I am channeling stress and anger through my workout, I tend to burn the most calories. Just sayin’! If you have kids at home, here’s how to get the most out of your workout.

3. Sex

Sex helps relieve stress as well as giving you and your partner the opportunity to remind each other how much you really care. As soon as you find a moment to squeeze it in, pull your partner aside and show them what you got! You can even channel some of that stress energy into lighting some candles and slipping into something sexy. Feeling sexy, loved, and satisfied can help melt the stress away very fast.

4. Strategize

If you have a large task in front of you to accomplish that is really stressing you out, I suggest to sit down and strategize a plan to get it done on time. For me, I tend to try and break the project up into smaller pieces until everything is finished. And if you prioritize the order of these smaller tasks into “first things first”, you may find that the task actually gets easier as you go along. This approach helps makes everything look less intimidating. It’s better to plan things out and get busy accomplishing the task than waste time procrastinating because you don’t know how you’re going to get it done.

5. Change your focus

It’s easy to be stressed whenever you are focusing on everything you have to do or thinking about a negative situation. Even if it is just for twenty minutes during the day, do something that makes you happy to get your mind off your stressors. Schedule a pedicure (or do one at home), cook a yummy dinner for your family, play a game with your children, or catch up on correspondence with an old friend.

Looking for some more healthy living resources? I’ve got you covered:

Well, my stressed out cohorts, its time to put some of these plans into action. I know as a Mama how hard it can be to get whatever is stressing us off our minds. No matter what angle you use to look at the situation, it is always better to turn negative energy into positive energy by doing whatever it is that makes you happy. I hope my how to handle work stress guide has helped you!

Fashionably Yours,

Allison

Source:

“Stress.” Kid’s Health. Web. 2 July 2011. <http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/emotions/stress.html>.