Sometimes the stress at work seems too much to bear. It is coming at you from all sides. Problems with customers or with product, a coworker is giving you a hard time, or your boss is in a foul mood. Or maybe all of it is happening at the same time. All you want to do is go home and sleep, but you can't because the work is piling high and you cannot fit it all in the 9 hours you have. What do you do?
This has happened to me, many a time. Chances are throughout your career, it will most definitely happen to you. That is the nature of life and working. To deal with these type of situations, you should have coping mechanisms ready and in place. Maybe listening to music, or doing yoga works for you. It could be watching T.V. or doing aerobic exercise. Whatever your coping style is, be ready. You can implement whenever things get too difficult. Don't wait until it gets unbearable and you are drinking yourself into alcoholism. Find something healthy that works for you and use it every time, as soon as you need to.
While you are at work and in the situation and cannot go do your special thing, here are steps I suggest you take:
1. Take a deep breath and go for a walk until your intensity settles down. If you cannot leave, go to the restroom and do some deep breathing exercises.
2. Make a list of the top issues at hand and number them in the order they need to be handled.
3. Try to handle the biggest problem first. You will always feel better getting it out of the way.
4. Clear your desk before you go home and make a list of to-do's for the next day. This will help you complete your day and not bring the additional stresses home with you.
5. Remember when you put one foot in front of the other and start taking action, it's an immediate stress reliever.
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