There are very few people who don’t experience stress in the workplace from time to time. In fact, there are days that are so stressful, you end up with such a headache that you can’t concentrate, nor can you seem to read the words on the page in front of you. Sadly, you never know when stress will strike and that’s why it is so important to have a few tips on hand so that you will be prepared if it suddenly attacks without warning.
1. Keep Herbal Tea on Hand
There are many kinds of herbal teas that are suggested when you need something to relax you without the use of prescription or OTC medications. While teas like chamomile and lavender can offer a bit of relaxation, Kratom tea has been used as an herbal medicine in Asia for centuries. The reason it is so effective and fast-acting is because it is high in specific alkaloids including 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine and mitraphylline that quickly soothe the nerves, helping you quickly feel relaxed.
2. Take Time to Identify Your Triggers
Once you have calmed down and are in a more relaxed state, take a few moments to look back at what triggered this latest episode. Was it fear of not meeting a deadline, trying to work without all the necessary tools or parts or perhaps you simply don’t get along well with a coworker who is constantly rubbing you the wrong way? Once you can identify those triggers, you can begin avoiding situations that trigger stressful episodes.
3. Control Your Breathing
Highly stressful situations have a negative impact on our breathing. Some people literally hold their breath when stressed while others begin breathing short, shallow breaths leading to hyperventilation. Neither is good for you during times of stress so the one thing you can do is be mindful of how you are breathing. Focus on inhaling slowly through the nose and exhaling through your mouth. Take slow, steady breaths in this manner and you will actually begin to feel your blood pressure and heart rate return to normal. It may sound a bit odd, but most of us really don’t know how to control our breathing to reduce the amount of stress we are feeling.
4. Take a Short Break
Although it may not be time for your scheduled morning or afternoon coffee break, another thing you can do is step away from what’s troubling you at the moment. Even if you need to tell your foreman or departmental head that you need to use the rest room, a short two- or three-minute break away from the cause of your stress may help you tone things down a notch or two so that you are better prepared to deal with what is upsetting you.
5. Know When to Seek Help
As we mentioned above, everyone experiences stress from time to time on the job but if you are stressed much of the time, you might want to seek professional help. Maybe you could benefit from a bit of counseling or maybe talking to HR about what you are experiencing would help. For example, if the cause of your stress is the lack of tools or supplies you need to get the job done, then that is something HR can address. If you have an ongoing personality conflict with a coworker, HR can mediate that as well.
The bottom line is to analyze whether or not you are stressed much of the time. While it may take time to rectify the cause of your ongoing stress, you can take steps to relieve stress in the moment. A cup of Kratom tea or slowing down your breathing can often offer instant relief. Just remember, you are not alone. Stress in the workplace is common and these five tips have proven effective so give them a try.
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