Are you or someone you know feeling overwhelmed by how to manage stress at work? Whether it’s the pressure of tight deadlines, office politics, or the struggle to balance work and personal life, workplace stress can take a significant toll on your mental and physical health. It’s not just about feeling tired after a long day—it’s about ongoing exhaustion, anxiety, and frustration that can creep into every corner of your life.
At Huntingdale Psychology, we understand the challenges that come with work-related stress. Our lead psychologist, Colin Longworth, has years of experience helping people across different industries, from office environments to more physically demanding roles. With this comprehensive guide, we want to give you practical strategies to help you or someone close to you manage workplace stress and regain control over your well-being.
What Causes Stress in the Workplace?
There are countless reasons why stress might build up at work, and it often goes unnoticed until it becomes overwhelming. Here are some of the most common stress triggers:
- Workload Pressure: If you or someone you know is constantly juggling too many tasks, it can feel like there’s never enough time to get everything done. This ongoing pressure can quickly lead to burnout.
- Lack of Control: Feeling like you don’t have a say in decisions that affect your work, or being unable to manage your own tasks, can make you feel powerless and stressed.
- Office Conflicts: Conflicts with colleagues or supervisors, or even a toxic work environment, can add emotional strain, making every day a battle.
- Work-Life Imbalance: Struggling to separate work from home life, especially with technology keeping you connected 24/7, can make it feel like you’re always working, leaving no room to relax.
- Job Insecurity: Worrying about job stability or financial concerns can create constant background stress that makes it difficult to focus or enjoy your work.
If any of these situations sound familiar to you or someone you care about, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. There are steps you can take to manage and reduce stress at work—and seeking professional help can make a significant difference.
Practical Ways to Manage Stress at Work
Managing stress is not about eliminating it altogether—it’s about learning to cope with it in a healthy way. Here are some proven strategies that can help:
1. Identify Your Stress Triggers
The first step in managing stress is to understand what’s causing it. Keep a journal to track specific situations, tasks, or interactions (e.g. bullying or harassment, or unreasonable demands or expectations) that leave you feeling stressed. Once you’ve identified the patterns, you can start working on how to handle those triggers.
2. Set Boundaries Between Work and Personal Life
It can be easy to let work bleed into your personal time, but this will only heighten your stress. Make it a habit to switch off work phones and emails to avoid work calls or messages outside work hours. Setting clear boundaries can help protect your personal time and mental space.
3. Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Instead of relying on unhealthy habits like excessive caffeine, alcohol, or binge-watching TV, try to incorporate positive outlets like regular exercise, meditation, or simply spending time with loved ones. These activities help to release built-up tension and recharge your energy.
4. Talk to Your Supervisor
If your workload is too much or the environment is contributing to your stress, it’s important to speak up. Discuss your concerns with your supervisor or manager—they might not be aware of how you’re feeling and can help adjust your tasks or support you in creating a better work environment.
5. Take Breaks to Recharge
Even short breaks during the workday can make a big difference. Stepping away from your desk for a walk or simply taking a breather can help reset your mind and body. And don’t forget to fully disconnect during vacation time—this can do wonders for reducing stress in the long run.
6. Improve Your Time Management Skills
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when everything seems urgent. Prioritise your tasks, break large projects into smaller, manageable steps, and focus on one thing at a time. This can help reduce that daunting feeling of having too much on your plate.
7. Seek Professional Support
If you’ve tried self-help strategies and still find work stress overwhelming, it may be time to talk to a therapist. Stress doesn’t just disappear on its own—it often requires a structured approach to manage it effectively.
How Talking to a Psychologist Can Help
Workplace stress can feel isolating, especially when it starts to affect not only your performance but also your personal life and health. Speaking to a psychologist like Colin Longworth can help you or someone you care about get professional guidance tailored to the specific stressors you face.
At Huntingdale Psychology, we offer personalised strategies to help manage stress at work. Whether it’s addressing interpersonal conflicts, managing workload pressure, or finding a better work-life balance, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Take the Next Step
If you or someone you care about is struggling with how to manage stress at work, don’t wait until it becomes unmanageable. Reach out to Colin Longworth at Huntingdale Psychology to discuss workplace stress, as well as other work-related issues, and find practical, effective solutions. We’re here to support you, helping you take control of your well-being and reclaim your peace of mind.
Start the conversation today—because no one should have to face workplace issues alone.
