4 Healthy Ways to Manage Your Work Stress

 

If you’re currently dealing with a stressful work life, you’re not alone.

Most Americans experience work stress. Statistics from the American Institute of Stress show 83% of U.S. workers suffer from some type of work-related stress, which causes roughly one million people to miss work every day.

It’s vital that you manage work stress. If you don’t, you risk allowing your work stress to manage you!

The Effects of Work Stress

A certain amount of stress is good and necessary. For instance, healthy stress can motivate you to meet your goals, improve your ability to problem solve, and help you to be more resilient.

Stress becomes unhealthy when it reaches high levels for prolonged periods.

High levels of work stress can keep you in fight or flight mode. This can disrupt bodily systems and increase the likelihood of developing serious health problems.

For example, the excessive release of stress hormone cortisol can disturb healthy immune function and increase the chances of developing autoimmune disorders, heart health problems, and memory issues later in life.

Persistent stress can interfere with positive habits, such as consistent exercise, quality sleep, healthy eating, and social connections. This can trigger low mood and a host of other issues.

The American Psychological Association has noted that overstressed workers can turn to unhealthy coping methods, such as overeating, having a poor diet, smoking cigarettes, or abusing drugs and alcohol. In short, unchecked stress can wreak havoc on your brain and body.

On a brighter note, you can let these grim facts inspire you to incorporate some new, stress-managing habits for the workplace.

Below, you’ll find several suggestions for how to manage work stress. Try some or all of them to help make work a little less stressful and, hopefully, your life a lot better.

4 Ways to Prevent Work Stress from Taking Over Your Life

How to Manage Your Work Stress & Balance Your Life

Communicate 

Effective communication with your employer/supervisor and colleagues can go a long way to reducing your stress levels. According to the American Institute of Stress, the top causes of workplace stress include ineffective communication, overwhelming workload, demands from managers/supervisors, and unclear expectations – all of which could be cleared up with open and regular communications.

Remember, it’s in your supervisor’s best interest to help you be successful in your work. In many cases, a boss or supervisor will be supportive when you constructively communicate your wants, concerns, needs, limits, ideas, and challenges.

Exercise  

Exercise provides a fantastic way to relieve work pressures because it immediately lowers stress hormones and helps you become more resistant to stress over time. Also, when you raise your heart rate through exercise it increases beta-endorphins, the brain’s own natural morphine, which can boost your mood.

Consistent exercise helps prepare you for obstacles you may face during your workday. It also helps you maintain a strong mind and body, which can help equip you to handle possible crises at work. Exercise is great for your overall well-being and may help you maintain a healthy weight…that’s a lot of bang for your buck!

Stress-Busting Breaks  

Take short breaks between meetings, calls, and tasks to help you de-stress. For example, take five minutes to get up and stretch or do some deep breathing exercises. Or, take a short walk outside.

Close your eyes and meditate for five minutes. If you have a private office, play some relaxing music. Instead of an unhealthy soda, drink a refreshing glass of water.

Get away from your desk to enjoy a healthy snack or a cup of tea. Sprinkle your day with these quick stress-busters and you’ll notice a big difference. They’ll help to keep your stress hormones in check, fuel your brain and body, and benefit your blood pressure.

Nutritional Support for Stress

Nutrients and herbs can help support your body’s resistance to stress.

Everyday Stress Relief was specifically formulated to help replenish your brain and body’s nutrients that can be depleted by stress. This supplement includes herbal extracts clinically proven to have calming and anti-stress effects, helping you to feel less anxious without making you sleepy. It also helps with apprehension, tension, worry, and fatigue.

Here’s what you’ll find in this high-potency formula:

  • Magnesium is a well-known calming mineral. It promotes a balanced and mentally focused demeanor.
  • The amino acid taurine supports the adrenal glands and is crucial for coping with stress.
  • The herb holy basil, revered both in Europe and the East, helps to improve adaptation to occasional anxiety and other problems related to stress.
  • A phytochemical derived from green tea, l-theanine helps to reduce tension.
  • Relora®, which is a unique mix of two herbs, may enhance healthy management of the stress hormone cortisol while easing tension, anger, negative mood, and confusion.

Stress Less and Live Well

While we all have seasons of high-intensity work, life is also about spending time with loved ones and enjoying hobbies and activities. Find a healthy balance and live your best life!

At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.

 

Kim Henderson
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