Overcoming Work-Related Stress – Prioritizing Calls Over Texts Can Make a Difference
Stress is common in many workplaces. From tight deadlines to conflict and yelling, work-related stress can cause emotional and physical distress. Long-term exposure to unmanaged stress can lead to a variety of health issues, including high blood pressure and a weakened immune system. But what can be done about it?
Prioritizing Relationships Over Work
Emails, Slack messages, a phone that rings off the hook, and coworkers dropping by to chat can be overwhelming. While a little bit of stress is good for you (it keeps you on your toes during a presentation and alerts you so you can avoid workplace accidents or mistakes), long-term exposure to unmanaged work stress can seriously affect your mental and physical health.
While a phone call or text can offer emotional comfort in stressful times, it’s best to prioritize face-to-face interactions when possible. Studies have shown interpersonal interactions are more effective than digital communications when calming the nervous system.
If you are experiencing chronic work-related stress, seek help from a therapist who can teach you strategies for decompressing and managing your stress levels.
Prioritizing Phone Calls Over Texts
In today’s economy, layoffs and budget cuts are commonplace, and that can lead to job insecurity. Combined with increasing workloads for those who remain, it can create an emotional rollercoaster of work stress. When overcoming work-related stress, you need to learn what your triggers are. Is it a conflict with a coworker or an overwhelming project with tight deadlines? Once you know what causes your stress levels to rise, you can address it head-on.
While it’s important to multitask at work, some tasks require undivided attention, such as customer service calls or detailed product training instructions. You should consider taking advantage of your workplace’s Employee Assistance Program if it exists. These services can provide support during a stressful time and help you find better ways to deal with the stressors of your job.
Prioritizing Quality Over Quantity
Putting quality before quantity can save time, money, and effort. For example, purchasing high-quality equipment and materials may lower expenses for repairs or replacements. It can also save resources by reducing the frequency of waste disposal. In addition, focusing on quality can improve employee morale and job satisfaction.
Prioritizing quality over quantity can also improve relationships. This can lead to a deeper sense of fulfillment and happiness in one’s life. This is especially true in friendships and relationships.
Workload stress is a common problem for employees. It’s caused by feeling overwhelmed and anxious about the amount of work that needs to be completed in a given time. Good work management skills can help alleviate this stress by assisting employees in prioritizing essential tasks. For example, tools like the Eisenhower Matrix can help employees prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency. This can help them focus on the most important work and get it done efficiently.
Prioritizing Depth Over Surfaces
It’s no secret that stress in the workplace can be damaging to the health of employees. It can lead to low work performance, increased presenteeism, absenteeism, and even burnout. In addition, it can cause conflict between coworkers and negatively impact company culture.
The best way to combat stress is to avoid focusing on the superficial aspects of it. For example, if a person is stressed by a coworker’s negative opinions or behavior, they should take a step back and focus on the task at hand. Getting to know your triggers is another great way to reduce workplace stress. If a person’s stress is triggered by a specific situation, such as conflict or yelling, they can work to avoid that specific trigger. This will allow them to have a more balanced life, which will help in reducing their overall stress levels.
