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7 ways to deal with stress in the office

7 ways to deal with stress in the office

As a coder, programmer, or developer you are likely to spend a lot of time in the office, as well as being tied to rather strict deadlines. As a result, stress levels can often soar which can lead to serious mental, emotional and physiological consequences. Many of us are stressed at work and don’t even realise it, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

Here are some great ways to deal with stress in the office and make sure that you are the best and most productive version of yourself possible.

 

1. Get a good start to the day

Dragging yourself out of bed at the last minute, missing your bus, and ending up late and flustered is a guaranteed way to start your day in a bad way. Instead, set your alarm 30 minutes before you need to get up, have a nutritious breakfast, enjoy your coffee, and head out of the door in plenty of time. The first 30 minutes of being awake will likely dictate the tone of the rest of your day, so remember this when you open your eyes!

 

2. Be clear on what is expected

One of the leading causes of job burnout is not being clear on what is required of you. If you cannot properly define your own job role or the requirements keep changing with little notice, you are likely to end up getting very stressed. Be sure that you know that what you are doing is enough, communicate with your supervisor or manager, and be clear on goals and expectations for both the long and short term.

 

3. Avoid conflict

Interpersonal conflict is a leading cause of physical and emotional stress. Whilst it can be hard to avoid in the workplace, do your best to stay away from it - particularly if it is someone else's drama. Try not to gossip, don’t share too many personal opinions on politics or religion, and try to avoid ‘colourful’ office humour. It is also advisable to keep away from characters that are known for causing trouble or controversy.

 

4. Be organised

If you are disorganised in your personal life, try not to let it spill over into work. Planning ahead, knowing exactly what you need to do and when, and being aware of your workload means less rushing and stressing in the long run. Keep your desk clutter free, ensure your “to do list” is up to date (and that you even have one) and do your best to stay on top of emails, meetings, and other administrative tasks.

 

5. Get comfortable

Did you know that how you sit at work can have an effect on your stress levels? If you have an unsuitable chair, in a dark room, with improper computing equipment, the chances are you'll end up being pretty miserable. Your employer is obliged to provide you with the appropriate environment and equipment you need to carry out your work without impacting your health or wellbeing. If you don’t think this is the case, don’t be shy to ask for more.

 

6. Be active

In the role of a programmer or developer, it can be easy to spend hours and hours in the same position, forgetting to get up to stretch your legs. But staying stationary and stuck in the same place can result in you becoming sluggish and losing motivation. Be sure to get up every 30 minutes or so, even just for a moment, and utilise your break time to get that blood pumping.

 

7. Listen to music

Listening to music has been proven to increase productivity and decrease stress, so you should really be considering it when you are at work. Of course, blasting out 90’s gangsta rap probably is not going to go down to well with the whole office, so it is probably best to invest in some good quality headphones so you can listen to your favourite tracks without disturbing your colleagues.

 

Authored by Finerton.com – June 2019
Pictures: Pixabay.com & Unsplash.com

Last modified on: June 28, 2019

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