How to Deal with Stress in your Job: 5 Stress Management Tips

If your job makes you constantly feel like it’s too hot in the kitchen, maybe you need to take some time out to combat the stress your job creates. It might come as a surprise but according to research by the top 93 big firms in the US, stress is the main reason for people quitting their jobs.

Here are our top 5 tips to get you through a day, stress-free:

1) Take plenty of short breaks

Break down your day by taking regular short breaks. Don’t try to sprint your way to lunch thinking you will get more done. Studies show that people who take small breaks and don’t spend the whole day tied to their desk, suffer much less from stress and actually get more done!

2) Draw up a list of your priorities

Do not stress about your job work load, just write down your most urgent/important tasks for the day and cross them off as you go. Finishing one task at a time is a great way to get things done and it will help you to focus all your talents on your work, not on whether or not Bill will send you the CPS report on time tomorrow.

3) Make a list of long term goals

If you are anything like most workers, you will get stressed at the slightest feeling you’re not achieving your ambitions. Write down some of your long term objectives and goals, spending a few minutes each day to see how you can move closer to them. Even just the feeling that you’re heading in the right direction in your job can bring your stress levels down.

4) Don’t try to be perfect

Workers can often suffer stress caused by nervousness that their work isn’t 100% perfect. This is a sure fire way to send your stress levels through the roof. Embrace the idea that sometimes ticking the boxes is all you need to do. There aren’t many worse feelings than the one you get when you carry the weight of expectation around on your shoulders that your work has to be “Grade A” all the time.

5) Fuel yourself throughout the day

Your mind can’t work without the right fuel but be careful not to induce stress by filling yourself with sugar and caffeine. Drink plenty of water and try to stay away from caffeinated drinks. Sugary-carbonated drinks and even diet drinks are full of chemicals and sugar, a recipe for a sugar crash and an overworked mind. Healthy snacks can make you more relaxed and release energy steadily, helping you to combat stress.

So, there you have it. Incorporate these 5 tips in your daily routine and keep those grey hairs at bay!

Recession and Redundancy Advice – Top Tips

Unfortunately, recession has become part of everyday life. It’s nigh on impossible to get through the day without hearing mention of it, whether in the media, the workplace or even amongst friends. Recession leads to companies making cutbacks in expenditure and more often than not, staff are one of the first things to go. Redundancy is not a pleasant experience for anyone, so we have put together some tips to help you through:

Remain positive!

As tough as it is when you’ve just lost your job, it is important to remain positive about everything. Have faith in your own abilities and try to turn the experience in to a positive – it could even lead to you finally getting the job you deserve!

Applying for Jobs

If you are in a low income, high turnover job such as call centre work, get yourself out there and apply for everything you can while avoiding jobs you do not want. Ultimately you still need to be happy with your work, recession or not.

For those coming from skilled, higher income jobs it is still important to apply for jobs but do not be tempted to apply for anything and everything. If you are overqualified for a job, employers will be unlikely to take you on as they will expect you to move on quickly. These rejections only lead to disappointment and may hamper your enthusiasm for job hunting in the long run. Worse, if you are accepted it is likely you’d have to work hard to get back to your previous level.

Pay

Do not take a job with significantly less pay than your previous job! It may take you a long time to work your way back to your original salary. If an employer offers you a job with a lesser salary, fight your corner and haggle for more money.

Still in Employment?

If you are one of the lucky ones to still be in a job through the recession, we have some recession advice for you too:

• Stick with the same job, unless you’re completely unhappy in your role
• Show a good attitude, work hard and prove your worth. Make yourself indispensable to the company and your loyalty may be rewarded in the future
• Don’t be too disappointed if you do not get a large pay rise in your annual review

Above all, whatever your situation remain positive. Remember that the current climate is not permanent and with a positive attitude you can get through whatever challenges you’re faced with. Fortunes are made in recessions and who knows, this time it could be you!