The American Psychological Association recommends the following strategies for managing stress, which can carry over from work to home: 1) Recognize the signs of stress. Headaches, muscle aches (especially in neck and shoulders), anger, irritability, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, and feeling out of it can all be signs of stress. 2) Formulate strategies for stress. Instead of coming home and yelling at the dog or, worse yet, your kids, grab the kids and take a bike ride or a walk. Stop by the gym on your way home. Take a break at lunch to go read a book or meet a friend. Figure out what helps you relax, and take time to do it. 3) Write it down. Make a list of everything you need to do, for both your work and personal lives. This gives you a clear picture of what you need to accomplish and allows you to stop worrying that youll forget to do something. 4) Turn it off. Put your cell phone away when you get home, or set only a certain limited time to check messages or finish a work-related task. 5) Take breaks during the workday. A few minutes to stretch, walk around the office, get a drink of water, or even just to take a few deep breaths can make a big difference and keep you energized during the workday. Encourage your employees to take breaks, as well. 6) Take care of yourself away from work. Get enough sleep. Take your vacations. Develop or maintain healthy eating and exercise habits. Take time for yourself and friends and family. 7) If you think your stress is out of control or causing unhealthy or destructive behaviors, seek professional help. Julia McGovern and Susan Shelly The Happy Employee
Posted on: Sun, 22 Jun 2014 11:20:00 +0000
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