“How we perceive a situation and how we react to it is the basis of our stress. If you focus on the negative in any situation, you can expect high stress levels. However, if you try and see the good in the situation, your stress levels will greatly diminish.” -Catherine Pulsifer

Long hours, overwork, burn out, long commutes, dysfunctional co-workers, micro-managing boss, under- appreciated, deadlines, long meetings, never-ending email…we could go on and on and on with causes of work-related stress. While there are hopefully times when the fog lifts and work feels and truly is enjoyable, we all have those periods where the stress gets overwhelming.

When it comes to dealing with work-related stress, there are many options – some good, some not so good. Some people use food, while some turn to drinking too much or other destructive behaviors. And many people use medications to deal with workplace stress and anxiety. These options might alleviate stress for a short period, but the best options are positive approaches that take away stress and add peace, harmony and well being.

How you react to events can make a big difference in whether your work time is enjoyable or miserable. A positive attitude can go a long way toward lowering stress, but there are also other techniques you can use to feel more relaxed as well. Learning natural coping mechanisms for managing stress and integrating them into your daily life can greatly alleviate the stress you feel at work (and at home).

Physical Ways to Treat Job Stress

When you want to manage overwhelm and stress at work, try these activities:
1.Hit the gym either before or after your workday.
2.Find a place to take a 15-minute power nap.
3.Go for a walk on your lunch hour – you’ll burn off some worry and see new things.
4.Squeeze a stress ball or rub a worry stone to give yourself something to focus on.
5.Take a long, hot shower or bath when you get home and let it wash your cares away.
6.Take a moment to take some slow, deep breaths whenever you feel stressed. The extra oxygen will relax your muscles and give you greater clarity in your thoughts.

It can also be helpful to monitor what you are eating and drinking. Too much sugar and caffeine can have a negative impact

What works for you to alleviate stress might be different than what works for someone else. Experiment with different techniques to determine what works best for you. Once you see what works, you can use it regularly to keep your job stress to a manageable level. Practice with more than one technique so you always have a variety of stress-relieving choices, regardless of the situation.

Mental Ways to Handle Job Stress

You don’t always have to do something physical in order to let go of stress. Mental and emotional options can work, too. Consider using these mental stress-relievers:
1.Read a lighthearted and enjoyable book.
2.Start a journal – get everything our of your head and onto paper.
3.Watch a movie that makes you smile and laugh.
4.Talk with a loved one about a happy time you shared. Reminiscing can be very good for you.
5.Pray or meditate about your concerns and how to deal with them.
6.Recite positive affirmations to yourself each day, before and after work.

Staying positive about any challenges that you’re facing at work is a great help when you feel stressed or under pressure. While you may not be able to change your circumstances immediately, you can change how you choose to react to them. When you consciously choose to display positive reactions, you empower yourself to thrive at work regardless of what’s happening around you.

Finally, taking action to move forward toward your goals and dreams will also help lower your stress levels. When you have strong goals and something to work for, you can focus on thinking positively instead of ruminating about stressful situations at your job.