Our day-to-day working lives are becoming increasingly fast-paced and hectic. This often makes it difficult to keep on top of things and keep a cool head. According to a study by Statista, 63 per cent of respondents in 2017 said they frequently felt stressed, citing work as one of the main causes. In the worst-case scenario, work-related stress can lead to chronic burnout. If an employee is unable to find a way out of this stressful situation, it can also result in physical or mental health problems, such as depression. In 2017, the average duration of sick leave due to mental health conditions in Germany was 35.5 days. To prevent things from getting that far in the first place, there are a number of methods for reducing stress.
General methods for reducing stress
Combating stress begins even outside of work. There’s a reason for the saying ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body’. Take active steps to look after your physical wellbeing. For example, do you eat a healthy and balanced diet? If your body is supplied with sufficient nutrients, it can cope better with situations where things get hectic. Conversely, an unhealthy diet also has a negative impact on our resilience. You’re more susceptible to infections and are therefore more likely to fall ill during stressful times. Zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, C, D and E, as well as magnesium, calcium and iron, help to counteract the overproduction of stress hormones. You’ll find these nutrients mainly in bananas, nuts, fish and dairy products such as cheese or yoghurt. Peppers, avocados, ginger and spinach also help to reduce physical stress.
As well as diet, exercise plays a major role in combating stress. Find a sport that you enjoy. Whether you prefer a solo jog in the evening or letting off steam on the football pitch with work colleagues after work is generally up to you. Even just a short walk in the fresh air can make a real difference and significantly reduce your stress levels.
Stress reduction in the workplace
You can also help reduce stress right at your workplace using simple methods. Prioritising is the key! At the start of your working day, sit down calmly with your colleagues and consider which tasks need to be done and in what order. This brings clarity to your daily routine and immediately alleviates the stress that arises when you’re faced with a long list of tasks and don’t know where to start. If the workload does become too much, don’t be afraid to ask for help. When the workload is shared amongst several people, it’s no longer so overwhelming.
Are you always the one people turn to for help? If so, make sure you don’t take on too much. Everyone should understand a friendly but firm refusal. It doesn’t help anyone if you lose sight of your own work because you’re swamped with extra tasks. If you’re stuck on a tricky task, it can definitely help to take a break. In many cases, this clears the mental block and you’ll reach a solution more quickly afterwards.
The right working environment also helps to reduce stress. Make sure your workspace is tidy. A messy desk affects your inner sense of order too. What’s more, you’ll waste an unnecessary amount of time searching for the materials you need. An appealing office design also helps to reduce stress in the workplace. At COLLECTION Business Centres, you can work in a relaxed manner within a pleasant atmosphere. The fully furnished offices are centrally located yet quiet, allowing you to focus entirely on your core business. You have no obligation to maintain or repair the premises. The competent staff at COLLECTION Business Centres take care of all that for you. As even small tasks, such as fetching coffee or welcoming guests, can take up valuable time, the secretarial service at all our premises is also on hand to support you in these areas.
Cover image: © Shutterstock/Olena Yakobchuk
