Dealing With Stress at Work (and at Home)
This article was originally published on December 19, 2019.
“If certain thoughts bother you, it is the devil who causes you to worry, and not God, Who, being the spirit of peace, grants you tranquility” (St. Padre Pio).
The season of giving is no longer quickly approaching — it’s here and in full swing. Your Christmas tree has probably been decorated for weeks, and your home might look like the inside of a Pier One catalog, but the reality is that the excitement of the holidays can oftentimes be overshadowed by a multitude of stressors, like end-of-year projects at work, finances, and family disputes.
Stress isn’t just limited to the holiday season, but this time of year is an opportunity to reflect on our trigger points and how we can better manage the stress. Here are some ways I manage my stress regardless of the season.
Don’t Fixate
My husband has lovingly pointed out to me that I have a tendency to fixate on things, allowing them to build up in my mind until I panic. For example, when hit with an unexpectedly high medical bill, I have every right in the world to be stressed when I think about everything else we need to pay for in a given month. At the end of the day, though, it’s my reaction to the stress that will determine the rest of my day — and the rest of the stressful experience.
My go-to response to avoid fixating is to send my husband a text message when I am in that moment of panic. Normally, I ask him to remind me to talk about it later., which is helpful not only for me, but also for him, because when I fixate, I have already headed down a worst-case scenario path. Know who that person is for you — a friend, co-worker, significant other — and let him or her know you need reassurance.
Take a Walk
Especially toward the end of the year, everyone at work seems to have the same deadlines, and for good reason: We all have goals we need to meet, and we all want to set ourselves up for success when we step into the office on the second day of the new year. Unfortunately, we all see our deadlines, our goals, and our projects as high-priority.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed when the projects at work build up, and it can cause unnecessary tension withinas we ask, “How am I supposed to prioritize so that everyone is happy?” Assuming the deadline isn’t in five minutes, try taking a walk around the office. Staring at a computer or dwelling on the issue won’t help you, so head to the company kitchen for a quick snack, fill up your water bottle, or chat with a co-worker about his or her holiday plans. Take your mind off of whatever is bothering you, and then approach it with a clear head.
Work Out
I was never really into yoga, but I discovered this incredible cardio workout with stretching poses incorporated throughout the class. The added bonus? It’s in a heated room, so I felt like stress was literally escaping my body with each 50-minute class. Sometimes, I’d start my day with a class, and other times, I’d go during my lunch break. It was never meant to be an escape from the stresses of life — more like a time to focus on myself and center myself around what’s important.
Reflecting on my life, setting a goal at the start of a class, or offering up my workout for someone who was truly suffering allowed me to hand over that stress to God. The human body can only handle so many different physical and psychological stressors, and working out has always been a way for me to release any pent-up stress.
Seek Help
Whether it is the holiday season, a new season of life, or an ongoing trigger for you, it might not be as simple as taking a walk or working out. Sometimes, it is important to talk to a qualified mental health specialist. There are people who have dedicated their lives to improving the lives of others, and there is never an issue too small that isn’t worth talking about.
Meeting with someone on a regular basis to assist you in developing appropriate coping strategies is something I, and so many close family and friends, have found extremely beneficial. There is no shame in seeking help and bringing things out of the darkness and into the light.
Colleen Godinez is a marketing copywriter for a mid-size membership organization in Kansas City. She graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in psychology and a minor in journalism and mass communication. In her spare time, she enjoys freelance writing and helping other organizations propel their brand. She has learned to appreciate the little things in life and soaks up every moment she can with her little girl and husband. Depending on the time of day, coffee and wine are her drinks of choice. You can follow her on Facebook or Instagram.