For The Positive Mind by Joan Healy. ©The Positive Mind.

We all know the feeling. We keep trying the same activity at work, hoping that it will eventually work. Our repeated attempts at the same task seem fruitless and we are left feeling drained of energy, stressed and frustrated. We curse at the computer which operated too slowly for us and we fume at the co-worker who is delaying the team project. So what can we do to combat this feeling of stress and frustration? Read on for some practical advice.

1. Relax after work.

Our work is more effective when we allow ourselves to relax. True relaxation happens when our bodies and mind are both relaxed. It is also important to relax after work. When we are well rested by a good night’s sleep, we function optimally.  Even though our work projects are important, so too are our bodies and minds. You can follow some relaxation advice on our blog too.

2. Take a Break.

It is so important for our well-being that we take regular scheduled breaks. We need to set aside time during the workday to spend away from work. The new trend of eating al-desko means that we are constantly in the work environment. We need to take some time out of our day to come away from our desks whether it is to eat our lunch or to take a walk in nature. This change in environment gives us a change in frame of mind which helps to interrupt the frustration swings.

3. Change perspective

Often when we get frustrated, it is because we are taking the wrong viewpoint of a certain task. If we find that we are making little progress with a task, it may be time to seek a new approach. That may be from asking someone else’s opinion, seeking an expert in this field of work or doing some research to find more facts to help us with our work duties.

4. Be patient with yourself.

Changes in behaviour take time. So we need to allow ourselves time to change. If we have had a habit of being easily frustrated for a long time, chances are that we may not change overnight to calm, relaxed workers. So we need to remind ourselves that we are in the process of a good change, which will take time and practice to fully come into effect.

5. Try not to take everything too seriously.

We need to learn to not take work so seriously, to the point where it is effecting our health. When we observe any deterioration in our mental or physical health as a result of stress or frustration, it is time to reconsider what we really value. It needs to be our health that we take seriously, and not just our work.

Final thought:

It can take some time to change our perspective about work-related stress, but believe me it will be worth it! By practising these pieces of advice, we can guard ourselves from stress and in effect, improve our work productivity. When we can put our health first rather than take everything seriously, then we are definitely becoming less stressed.