In recent times, high-stress jobs have become extremely common. We are in a rat race to prove to ourselves and to others, that we are successful, and to achieve this, we sometimes take up too many responsibilities and overfill our plate. But the pressure to achieve something, often comes at a cost of our mental health. It’s always helpful to be aware of strategies to manage stress and stay calm at such times.In this article, Kiara Jain, Lifestyle and Personal Transformation Coach and Founder of Mindful Living, shares some strategies for not only coping but also thriving in high-stress jobs:
1. Differentiate between work and personal life
One of the most frequent issues in high-stress jobs is managing work and personal life. Juggling the two can sometimes be a challenge. If you let yourself work after hours, you may find it difficult to switch off your mind. It’s important to be translucent and know when to stop and when to begin. Be clear that when you are at home, you will be present mentally and physically at home, and convey the same to your subordinates and seniors. It is always a good idea to not look at your work phone or email after working hours; this allows your brain to “switch off” and rejuvenate.
2. Prioritise yourself
It’s important to take care of yourself in high stress jobs. Blurring the line between “me” time and “work” time can get easy, and you can lose yourself without even realising it. But this would only lead to more stress, and your mental and physical health being affected. Always remember to eat and sleep well, and doing some physical exercise– be it a walk or a regular workout routine. Any form of exercise is known to decrease stress.
3. Learn to manage your time better
Learning to manage your time in a tactful manner can help you reduce stress and feeling anxious regarding the amount of work you have to accomplish. Taking a 5-10 minute break, stretching yourself, and walking a little is known to release endorphins. Follow the Pomodoro technique which was developed in the 1980’s– it suggests that you break your bigger goals into smaller, doable tasks for the day. This can improve your productivity without making you feel overwhelmed.
4. Learn stress management techniques
Stretching and muscle relaxation helps to deal with stress. If you keep taking breaks in between work and practise this, it can help you avoid burnout and feeling overwhelmed with work. Yoga and meditation are also extremely helpful. These methods help build resilience in stressful situations and keep you calm and composed.
5. Avoid isolating yourself
It’s always a good idea to surround yourself with loved ones. They provide the best emotional support, and give you a safe space to express your emotions and stress. Always try expressing your emotions and talking about your thoughts and feelings in a safe space, as bottling them up will only lead to more stress.
6. Don’t be embarrassed to seek professional help
If you are unable to process your emotions and perform daily activities, or feeling overwhelmed in general, there is nothing wrong in going to a mental health professional. Counsellors can help you learn more in depth tools and methods to deal with your stress. This will not make you weaker, but only stronger mentally and physically.
Remember that while it is important to succeed and thrive at your high stress job, it’s also important to take care of yourself. Let us take a pledge to not neglect our mental health, this World Mental Health Day.
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