How to reduce stress levels at work and in the company?
13 June 2014
Read by 3855 persons
In an environment of uncertainty and economic instability, managers' nerves are severely tested, significantly increasing their daily stress levels. The main sources of this stress are:
• Dealing with financial insecurity;
• Managing the pressure associated with business development;
• Spending many hours at work.
However, stress is not inevitable, and by carefully planning your daily life and changing certain habits, you can significantly reduce most sources of stress in your life.
1. Analyze the situation
It is very important to analyze the things that stress you out in life. Instead of avoiding situations, ask yourself what causes you stress and see what can be eliminated. Identify your stressors and analyze ways to eliminate this stress or make them less stressful.
2. Take a break
As soon as you feel stress rising, take a break. Stop what you're doing and change your mind. Get up and stretch, walk a bit, go outside and enjoy the fresh air. Talk to someone you appreciate. Most importantly, stay away from your computer and cell phone. These few minutes will help you reduce your current discomfort and see things more clearly.
3. Learn to stop and let go
Why the daily need to overwhelm yourself? Do you feel indispensable? Do you really believe that the earth will stop turning without you? Stop, simplify your tasks and focus on the most essential ones. Don't let yourself be overwhelmed by perfection and strive to do your best in the competitive world you evolve in, that will be more than enough.
4. Set realistic goals
Know that the goal is not always placed to be achieved, but to serve as a focal point! Get to know yourself and choose realistic and achievable goals. Which ones do you want to prioritize? What are the means to achieve them? Is it a realistic deadline?
5. Delegate
You can't fix everything yourself. Entrust responsibilities to your teams to let them work autonomously. Ask other people (for example your assistant, if you have one) to assist you so that you can use your time more efficiently.
6. Create a circle of business relationships
Think about building a network of mentor entrepreneurs who can help you in case of problems. By discussing your business challenges with people who want to help you, you will undoubtedly find solutions to meet the challenges you face.
7. Create your stress-free environment
A good way to reduce stress is to be very efficient in your time management. At the end of your day, take a few minutes to tidy up and prepare your work area for the next day. Take time to clean your workspaces until you have created a pleasant environment. It is much less stressful to work in a simple environment than in a cluttered and disordered one.
8. Exercise control over your personal and company finances
Cash flow management is a major source of stress for many people. As a business leader, find ways to better control this aspect. This should be a priority and also strive to increase the productivity of your company in order to improve its financial health.
9. Adopt a healthy lifestyle
It is important to recognize the warning signs of stress manifestation (sweating, increased heart rate, loss of control, discomfort...). Exercising helps relieve stress and decompress. You know the saying “A healthy mind in a healthy body”. Nothing better to feel good in your skin. The impacts are numerous on your sleep, your mood and your self-esteem!
10. Eat healthy
This is also an excellent approach to reduce and prevent stress. If you eat well by increasing, for example, your consumption of fruits and vegetables, you will have more energy and will cope better with stress. Think about it! It's your vehicle until the end of your days.
11. Aim for balance
Although the business world is very demanding, it is essential to devote time to activities other than work. Go out with family, friends, have hobbies that you are passionate about. Do things that allow you to recharge your batteries and decompress.
12. Take a vacation!
Take the time to recover, especially during busy periods. Plan several times a year rather than leaving once for a longer time. And when you're on leave, a word of advice: turn off your cell phone! And if it crosses your mind to postpone your vacation, tell yourself that the long-term benefits far outweigh the immediate benefits.
In short, tell yourself that stressing won't get things done, whether you stress or not, things will be what they are, so know how to take a step back and put things into perspective and tell yourself that in the end, only death doesn't get better ;)
Happy holidays!
Philippe Montant
CEO of ReKrute
• Dealing with financial insecurity;
• Managing the pressure associated with business development;
• Spending many hours at work.
However, stress is not inevitable, and by carefully planning your daily life and changing certain habits, you can significantly reduce most sources of stress in your life.
1. Analyze the situation
It is very important to analyze the things that stress you out in life. Instead of avoiding situations, ask yourself what causes you stress and see what can be eliminated. Identify your stressors and analyze ways to eliminate this stress or make them less stressful.
2. Take a break
As soon as you feel stress rising, take a break. Stop what you're doing and change your mind. Get up and stretch, walk a bit, go outside and enjoy the fresh air. Talk to someone you appreciate. Most importantly, stay away from your computer and cell phone. These few minutes will help you reduce your current discomfort and see things more clearly.
3. Learn to stop and let go
Why the daily need to overwhelm yourself? Do you feel indispensable? Do you really believe that the earth will stop turning without you? Stop, simplify your tasks and focus on the most essential ones. Don't let yourself be overwhelmed by perfection and strive to do your best in the competitive world you evolve in, that will be more than enough.
4. Set realistic goals
Know that the goal is not always placed to be achieved, but to serve as a focal point! Get to know yourself and choose realistic and achievable goals. Which ones do you want to prioritize? What are the means to achieve them? Is it a realistic deadline?
5. Delegate
You can't fix everything yourself. Entrust responsibilities to your teams to let them work autonomously. Ask other people (for example your assistant, if you have one) to assist you so that you can use your time more efficiently.
6. Create a circle of business relationships
Think about building a network of mentor entrepreneurs who can help you in case of problems. By discussing your business challenges with people who want to help you, you will undoubtedly find solutions to meet the challenges you face.
7. Create your stress-free environment
A good way to reduce stress is to be very efficient in your time management. At the end of your day, take a few minutes to tidy up and prepare your work area for the next day. Take time to clean your workspaces until you have created a pleasant environment. It is much less stressful to work in a simple environment than in a cluttered and disordered one.
8. Exercise control over your personal and company finances
Cash flow management is a major source of stress for many people. As a business leader, find ways to better control this aspect. This should be a priority and also strive to increase the productivity of your company in order to improve its financial health.
9. Adopt a healthy lifestyle
It is important to recognize the warning signs of stress manifestation (sweating, increased heart rate, loss of control, discomfort...). Exercising helps relieve stress and decompress. You know the saying “A healthy mind in a healthy body”. Nothing better to feel good in your skin. The impacts are numerous on your sleep, your mood and your self-esteem!
10. Eat healthy
This is also an excellent approach to reduce and prevent stress. If you eat well by increasing, for example, your consumption of fruits and vegetables, you will have more energy and will cope better with stress. Think about it! It's your vehicle until the end of your days.
11. Aim for balance
Although the business world is very demanding, it is essential to devote time to activities other than work. Go out with family, friends, have hobbies that you are passionate about. Do things that allow you to recharge your batteries and decompress.
12. Take a vacation!
Take the time to recover, especially during busy periods. Plan several times a year rather than leaving once for a longer time. And when you're on leave, a word of advice: turn off your cell phone! And if it crosses your mind to postpone your vacation, tell yourself that the long-term benefits far outweigh the immediate benefits.
In short, tell yourself that stressing won't get things done, whether you stress or not, things will be what they are, so know how to take a step back and put things into perspective and tell yourself that in the end, only death doesn't get better ;)
Happy holidays!
Philippe Montant
CEO of ReKrute
