MANAGING WORK RELATED STRESS: STRATEGIES FOR A HEALTHY WORK LIFE BALANCE

Managing Work Stress: Strategies for Balance

WORK STRESS has become a global concern now. Numerous factors such as work overload, poor working conditions, lack of acknowledgment, poor communication, and poor interpersonal relationships could be the cause of it.

A little bit of stress is acceptable, but when stress starts having a negative effect on your physical and mental health, it's not at all fine.

Effects of Work Stress:

• Reduced motivation
• Withdrawal from interests, hobbies, friends, and family
• Increased consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking
• Feeling exhausted, indigestion, body aches
• Palpitations, irritability, anxiety
• Problems in memory and concentration
• Increased negative thoughts, etc.

If you think you are experiencing these symptoms, it is time to take control of them and not let stress affect your happiness, family, or other relationships.

Interventions for Healthy Work-Life Balance:

1. Do not take your workload home. Delegate tasks and give yourself a break.
2. Adopt a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep.
3. Practice relaxation techniques such as massage, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and meditation.
4. Build support networks outside of work if needed.
5. Develop time management skills and prioritize tasks.
6. Avoid procrastination and be assertive in saying NO.
7. Take breaks between work and make time for family.

Nobody ever looked back on their lives and wished they had worked more and enjoyed life less. It will undoubtedly be difficult at first, but you can do it, and when you're done, you'll be happier and more at ease.