It’s no secret that stress can take a toll on our mental and physical health. Unfortunately, stress is also a common occurrence in the workplace. While some stress is normal, chronic stress can lead to serious health problems. 

According to a study by HSE, in 2020/21 there were an estimated 822,000 workers affected by work-related stress, depression or anxiety.  

This represents 2,480 per 100,000 workers.  

There are a variety of factors that can contribute to stress in the workplace, such as unrealistic deadlines, a heavy workload, or office politics.  

But, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by stress at work, there are things you can do to help manage it.  

Reasons You May Feel Stressed

 

Financial Stress 

If your stresses are related anyway to finances, especially in light of the cost of living crisis we are currently facing, Mental Health & Money Advice offers advice, tools and the ability to share your own story. 

Mental Health & Money Advice offer free tools that anyone can access, including their savings calculator and budget planner. 

Finding out more information about financial stress is crucial especially if you need more guidance on your costs, and how to approach this with your work. 

However, no business wants their workers to be stressed due to money. So please have a conversation with them or someone from the team that can help you.

Workplace Stress 

If you are finding you’re stressed from your work, and find it is affecting your health and well-being, it’s important to talk to your employer. 

Your employer has a responsibility to ensure that your workplace is safe and without risks to health, including stress-related risks. 

If you’d like to speak to someone outside of work about stress in the workplace, there are a number of helplines and websites that can offer advice and support, such as Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. 

Your Overall Wellbeing 

If you’re currently dealing with stress, anxiety, or low mood but it’s not related to your job, you may find it’s still impacting your concentration and motivation at work. If this is the case, there’s no shame in admitting that you need help. 

Your workplace should be a supportive environment where you feel comfortable discussing your mental health, and your employer has a duty of care to ensure that your wellbeing is being looked after whilst at work. Indeed, it’s also in their best interest to help you so that your performance and productivity can return to normal as quickly as possible. 

If stress is impacting your ability to do your job, or if you’re struggling to cope, speak to your employer. They may be able to offer support or make some changes to help you feel more comfortable at work. 

There are a number of ways to deal with stress in the workplace, but it’s important to remember that you don’t have to deal with it alone. 

Community Living Well also offer fantastic support for people’s social wellbeing and physical and mental health needs.  

Five Ways to Deal with Stress in the Workplace 

Take a Break  

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a few minutes to yourself to clear your head. Step away from your desk/workstation and go for a walk, or grab a cup of coffee. Taking some time for yourself can help you reset and refocus. 

Nobody can work every single minute of their day, so make sure to take regular breaks. Even if it’s just a few minutes, taking some time for yourself can help reduce your stress levels. 

Talk To Someone  

If you’re feeling stressed, talking to a colleague, friend, or family member can help.  

Sometimes it can be helpful to talk to someone who understands what you’re going through or to simply just express your emotions out loud. 

If you don’t feel comfortable talking to someone you know, there are also a number of amazing organisations and resources available, which we have linked previously. 

Stay Organised  

When your desk is cluttered and your to-do list is a mile long, it can be hard to focus on anything else.  

Getting organised and taking some time to declutter your workspace can help you feel more in control and less stressed. 

Set aside sometime each day to tidy up your desk, or try using a planner to help you stay on top of your tasks. 

Exercise

Exercising releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects.  

Taking some time out for a quick workout can help relieve stress and improve your overall wellbeing. 

If you don’t have time for a full workout, there are plenty of other ways to get active. Take the stairs instead of the lift, or go for a walk at lunchtime. 

Get Enough Sleep  

When you’re tired, it’s harder to concentrate and stay on top of things. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep each night to help you feel rested and refreshed for the day ahead. 

If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep, there are a number of things you can try, such as cutting out caffeine, making sure your bedroom is dark and quiet and avoiding ‘screentime’ from your mobile phone or tablet before you go to bed. 

Stress can be a normal part of work life, but it’s important to find ways to deal with it.  

If stress is impacting your ability to do your job, or if you’re struggling to cope, speak to your employer. They may be able to offer support or make some changes to help you feel more comfortable at work. 

There are a number of ways to deal with stress in the workplace, but it’s important to remember that you don’t have to deal with it alone.