NATIONAL STRESS AWARENESS DAY - OBSERVING AND COPING WITH STRESS AT WORK

Stress occurs all around us and just like most things in life, a little bit of stress is good. It can motivate a person to perform better and increase resilience. However, too much stress is more likely to overwhelm you and negatively affect your health, work and relationships. Especially at this time heading towards year-end, everyone’s likely busy reaching targets and closing projects ready for the next year before enjoying the Christmas holidays. For some stress is manageable, other times it takes a toll on us. Some of us are aware yet some don’t know how to act on it.  

In alignment with National Stress Awareness Day (set up by International Stress Management Association) taking place today, the Wirex team are here to suggest a few ways to notice and observe signs of stress in the workplace and ways to combat it to reduce your stress and help a stressed colleague out. 

5 Ways to Spot Stress: 

1. Constantly worrying 

Do you feel like you’re going round in circles without coming up with any solutions or every hour, there seems to be a new problem or worry coming up? The build up of these worries can cause too much stress. Your colleagues may also message you of the same worries or new ones every hour. 

2. Difficulty concentrating 

When you’re constantly worried, you’re likely to have reduced focus on your current tasks at hand as you’re too focused on the worries in your mind. At the same time, if you notice your colleague suddenly making a few mistakes on emails and tasks, it may be because they have a lot on their mind. 

3. Getting snappy and irritable 

Never is it acceptable to be rude towards others however, if someone has been snappy and irritable around others lately, stress may be a big reason why. At the same time, observe yourself if you’ve been irritable lately and ask yourself why. 

4. Lack of sleep and feeling tired at work 

When you see your colleagues at work, you may notice that they’re looking very tired (but don’t directly make that comment towards them as that can be rude). When you ask your colleagues “Hello. How are you?”, pay attention to their answers as they might be showing signs of stress. 

5. Recent aches and pains that were not caused physically. 

It’s natural that if we’re stressed, it takes a toll on our bodies. One way that stress can manifest physically is through headaches, muscle tension and stomach pain. 

5 Ways to reduce stress: 

1. Speak/Listen 

If you’re stressed out, speak to someone that you trust. Who knows? They might provide a solution to dealing with stress. Even if they don’t, letting out your worries and stresses can help however KEY WORD: Trust. Don’t spill your beans just to anyone as it might make things worse. 

On the flip side, know when to just listen. If your stressed colleague is temporarily using you as a stress outlet, just listen and reassure them about a way out to their stresses. It’s important to not invalidate others’ emotions. 

2. Seek help or encourage your stressed co-workers to reach out to your company’s designated wellbeing person.  

Here at Wirex, we have qualified mental health first aiders to signpost and support employees’ mental health and wellbeing. Others may have HR, an occupational health advisor or an Employee Assistance Programme. These people should be able to support you or your colleague to provide coping techniques or refer to the appropriate support needed. 

3. Take a Break 

There’s a misconception that if you have a lot of work on your plate already, taking a break will only make it worse when you come back. However, taking breaks have been shown to refresh your energy and boost your performance and creativity2 so take those lunch breaks, short frequent breaks (17 minutes per 52 minutes of work3) and go and use up those holidays and forget about work for a short time. Focus on yourself, family, friends or any interests you have. It’s not everyday hustle, sometimes rest and appreciate the process. 

4. Invite your colleague or team to participate in a fitness activity, whether it be a yoga session, running, walking or going to the gym.  

Exercise has been heavily evidenced to support mental wellbeing4. Not only will you get a chance to get to know your team members and bond, you’ll also reduce stress levels by taking some time out and moving.  

5. Forget Multitasking  

When you’re multi-tasking, you’re focusing on too many things at once therefore it makes sense why you may feel overwhelmed. You can still deal with multiple tasks in a day but you can do them one by one after you take some time in the morning and organise your priorities. Once that’s done, don’t focus on the amount of tasks on the list, but feel the accomplishment from ticking each task off your list. Before you know it, you’re already halfway there. 

Have any more solutions to stress? Drop them down below in the comments section as you might help someone in need.  

Disclaimer: We are not healthcare professionals, just raising Stress Awareness.  

Footnotes: 

1. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/stress/ 
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010027710002994?via%3Dihub  
3. https://desktime.com/blog/17-52-ratio-most-productive-people/  
4. https://www.apa.org/topics/exercise-fitness/stress