Top 7 Ways To Prevent Unnecessary Stress At Work

A recent survey by the University of Notre Dame found that about one in three American adults experience stress due to work. This is no small number, and it's only going to increase as the workforce continues to change.

Stress at work can be really damaging, leading to depression while still at work, as well as poor performance on the job. It can also have a huge impact on future health and happiness levels.

Stress at work is something that can be very difficult to avoid. But we can do our best to prevent it in the first place, by following some simple strategies:

1. Do Something To Make It Better

The workplace is a pretty stressful place, even if you're at a job that isn't directly stressful (i.e. you're not an HR rep or doing customer service).

The biggest workplace stressor is probably low pay, with most Americans saying that their paycheck just doesn't offer them enough to live on.

But there's plenty of other things that stress us out at work, like having a boss who never praises your work or having a job that's sadly not what you thought it would be when you were hired.

And this is where we can actually do something about it! If your employer has a review system in place, then ask for an annual performance evaluation. If she's too busy to conduct one, then it might be time to find another job.

But if it's not the job itself or the boss that's stressing you out, then find ways to make it better. For example, if you're disorganized at work and always running late, then try getting organized for real!

You could use an app like OntrackDotOrg to help you get your life together. You can use OntrackDotOrg for free for up to three months—so why not see if it can help you at work? You can also use OnTrackDotOrg to simply track your time, see how much time you're spending in different projects and improve your performance.

You can get an email by clicking here.

2. Take A Break

Stress is a big no-no to Americans, and many people have relaxed their standards in this respect. You can learn to chill out by taking a break at work, with some research showing that employees who take regular breaks are less anxious and more productive then those who don't.

A common technique is to take a "power walk," or just a stroll around the office. A power walk is something you can do whenever you feel like it, and it can help you both de-stress and stimulate your brain.

It's great because it's low key, which means that you won't distract other people or get on their nerves—and the best thing? You don't even have to leave your desk chair! Indoor walking is an excellent way to give your brain a quick workout while taking a break from work.

But if walking isn't your thing, there are other methods that people use for getting some exercise at work. For example, many employers are now allowing to stand up at work. Standing desks can be a great way to burn some calories when you're working and give you a chance to stretch your legs, but try not to get carried away!

You probably shouldn't spend all day standing—that's just how bad habits are formed. It's all about finding the right balance between working and exercise.

3. Be Productive And Be Happy At Work

The best way to prevent stress at work is probably by being productive, but you can't possibly be productive all the time, right? It doesn't matter if it's big things or small things—just always try your best not to slack off or do less than what you should.

When you're not slacking off, then you're going to get more done, and that means more time for relaxing. (And if you find yourself too busy with work, then check out some of these great time management tools.)

4. Don't Be Too Competitive

Sometimes your coworkers can be annoying and make things worse—but you probably don't want to break up with your co-workers just for being competitive! Competition is a part of the workplace environment today—everyone wants the boss's attention and everyone wants to do better than their colleagues.

But if this is getting in the way of your work or making you stressed out, then it's probably something that needs fixing. For example, you can do things like ask for help when you need it and not try to "one up" your colleagues with big projects.

5. Do Something That Helps Others

It's easy to forget that other people at work may be stressed, lonely or unappreciated. You might be doing okay, but it's important to remember that others are also suffering in their own way. In fact, a recent study found that most people don't even check up on their co-workers on a regular basis!

So if you can take out your stress by helping someone else, then go ahead and do it.

6. Get Organized

You don't need to become an organizational freak, but it's probably a good idea for you to become more organized at your job.

This doesn't mean that you have to be a "workaholic"—a little organization can go a long way! The best way to do this is by getting an organizer for work like OntrackDotOrg. It could help you save time and stop your work from becoming less than what it should be.

You can get an email by clicking here.

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Conclusion

Work stress has a way of ruining your day, but it doesn't have to. If you learn to prevent work stress, then you can live an easier life at work and save yourself a lot of time and energy.