More than half of the country's working population, aged between 15-59, is working. The workforce may be from organised to unorganised sectors- blue-collar workers, white-collar executives, young entrepreneurs and more.
What's common between all is the burden of roles and responsibilities - more or less. When the burden of the work- the roles and responsibilities surpasses the possibility of a manageable outcome, the work leads to occupational stress or work stress.
Work stress can be due to many reasons. One major reason is the lack of support and cordial working environment. It can be due to approaching deadlines, unreasonable targets and over-achievement expectations.
Work-life balance, on the other hand, is an ideal situation where one can manage work and personal life in the best possible way and gain the best out of both worlds.
Let's discuss both and see if it is just a misconception that work stress is a reality, or that work-life balance is achievable. Or if it is simply a byproduct of mismanagement.
Is Work Stress A Myth, Misconception or Mismanagement?
The answer lies in the spot you are at. When you are an employee, work stress is a part of your job profile. But if you narrate the issue to your employer, it is a case of misconception or mismanagement. So, is it a myth or a reality?
The sad reality is - work stress is very much present, but it may also be true that for some, it is due to mismanagement. Mismanagement can be of the work or the organisation of the work. If you fail to delegate your work or say yes to more than you can do, you will feel stressed and overburdened.
So managing work can indeed lessen your burden, but work stress needs to be handled with more effort.
Is Work-Life Balance Achievable?
If you can manage your work and lessen your workload, a well-balanced work life is possible.
One cannot do much about a toxic workplace, but majorly, your employers do not want to torture you deliberately. Some from the team may lack leadership qualities which can lead you to be burdened with unnecessary tasks, but with most, if you communicate your issue to them, they will understand and work for your benefit.
Also, you can ask for an extension in the team or a more balanced workflow to reduce stress. Saying yes to every task assigned to you when you already know it is hard to achieve is not your management's issue but yours.
And still, if you do not get fair treatment or support, then indeed the workplace is toxic, and you must think of a job switch.
If you do not want to switch and the work stress is not decreasing, then maybe the efforts from your end are not in the right direction. Isn't it?
How To Manage And Work On Workplace Stress?
Managing work stress requires effort and a deep understanding of your priorities. Your health must be your priority before anything else it goes without saying. If your stress gets out of hand, you must try to combat it with the following measures.
- Learn To Say No - Prioritise
It is a vital habit to know when to say yes and when to say no. Saying yes to every task is not always efficient. Most employers would want more out of a single individual, but being human and understanding the limitations of your ability and performance is a must. So, one must learn to be choosy and wise.
- Respect Physical And Mental Health
Respecting mental and physical health is one of the most important attributes of being a working professional. It is equally important to prioritise your health before your assignments. Also, respecting boundaries and making others understand the relevance is in your hands. If it's not, make others understand it is.
- Be More Organised
Working overtime shouldn’t be the norm. Communicating the same to your employers is your responsibility. If you ask your team to be more organised and inculcate the same habit in yourself, you will see positive changes in your work and stress levels.
- Have Someone To Talk To - Proper Communication
Talk it out within your team and even inter-department to know if it is only you who is being overburdened or if it is the company’s norm to keep people under work pressure. In both scenarios, have a one-on-one session with your lead or HR to get things straight. Proper communication is better for you, as well as your company’s work environment.
- Learn To Relax And Practise Meditation
Another technique that is beneficial in combating stress is meditation. You can lower any kind of stress through proper meditation techniques. And work stress can be easily managed with even half an hour of meditation every day. You can relax your body and mind with proper self-care, yoga and meditation routines like mindfulness of breath, proper breathing techniques and so on.
- Seek Help - Professional And Organisational
If you feel your stress levels keep increasing with time, it is time to seek professional help. Even after all your effort, you feel suffocated in every organisation you work at you need to get counselling to help relieve yourself from pressure and tension. Even organisational talk groups and a chat with your HR and admin departments can help you stay positive around your workstation.
- Be Pragmatic, Not Everyone's Problem Solver
Just like prioritising your work, learn to be pragmatic, not a people pleaser or problem solver in every situation. You do not need to act as everyone's hero and save their world. First, give property to your own mental and physical health, then be someone else’s saviour.
Learn to say NO more often and see a difference in your workload. It doesn't mean you have to deny being professional and stop working altogether. It just means to be a better manager of your own work and do things with proper planning and strategy. It will also help you be more efficient with important tasks and eventually help you be everyone's favourite teammate.
Take control of your life
Give regard to life, reclaim being alive
Take control of your life before it takes control over you
Lastly, the most important learning after being a professional you must seek is to be your own pilot of your life. Do not let anyone else take control of your life. Life is precious, and it is important to give it its due importance and respect.
You must learn to live life, not merely survive a day. For the same, having a work-life balance is a must when you live life fully.
Combat work stress and smile more often.
Always remember to stay positive and move towards- SahiDishaKiOre.
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