High stress levels at work can affect both your health and productivity. Knowing how to manage that stress is the key to success.
Sometimes, pressure from work can feel overwhelming. Melissa Kaufman, manager of Robert Gold Salon and Spa, knows this firsthand. She recalls one morning when a client arrived 20 minutes late, and one of the stylists snapped at her. Melissa realized then, “I need to get my team something to help with stress management.” She turned to local therapist Joyce Marter, who conducts courses on ways to reduce stress levels at work.
Joyce explains, “It’s really common for people to not realize how much stress carries over into their personal lives. It can have a negative impact on their relationships, family, and overall quality of life. Stress can affect mental health and have physical consequences as well. I strongly believe in the mind-body connection, and stress significantly impacts both.”
To lower stress levels in any workplace, Joyce recommends starting with your breath. “When we’re stressed, we tend to breathe more shallowly and rapidly. By calming our breath, we can relax our minds and focus on the present. This benefits mental health and helps you feel more grounded physically and emotionally, better preparing you to cope with work-related stressors.”
Another recommendation from Joyce is keeping a clear mind, which helps people view stressful situations in a more positive light. She advises, “Pay attention to your self-talk. Use a positive mantra to help guide you through the day. This mindset increases the likelihood that things will go positively, and it really helps.”
Other strategies to reduce stress throughout the workday include exercising daily, visualizing your own success at work, and making a conscious effort to let go of things you can’t control. Melissa says her staff has implemented these techniques, and she’s seen a significant improvement in how they handle stressful situations. As a side benefit, business has improved.
Melissa believes, “Regardless of your job, it’s really important to take care of ourselves and learn how to cope. It’s essential for maintaining a successful work environment and staying successful in our jobs.” According to therapist Joyce Marder, managing stress at work is beneficial for both mental and physical health. She emphasizes that these techniques can work for everyone. For more information on relieving tension at work, visit livinghealthytv.com.