Relieve the Stress of a Managerial Role

A little stress is no bad thing at work. Remember that stress is a normal reaction caused by the body’s instinct to protect itself from emotional or physical pressure or, in extreme situations, danger. This feeling of anxiety can be caused by the job and colleagues, or can come from within if a manager puts pressure on themselves to do well.

Most managers need the stress caused by the pressure of a deadline or the desire to do well. It can motivate managers to produce their best and make them stronger. But work can be a stressful place and too much stress is a very bad thing. It can cause irrational behaviour and in the worst cases can, quite literally, kill.

Luckily there are plenty of stress management techniques a manager can employ to reduce and cope with feelings of anxiety at work. First of all, when overwhelmed by the amount of work that has to be done or irritated by a colleague, a manager should relax and breathe deeply through their nose. This has a calming effect, as the body simply cannot maintain the same level of energy without the extra oxygen it gets when someone breathes through their mouth.

Take More Breaks

Another good way of managing stress is to take more breaks from work. When job stress is getting them down, a manager should try to get away from their desk and go for a walk, outside preferably or up and down flights of stairs. Even a five-minute break can help and getting more exercise in general will reduce overall stress levels.

Try to lighten up and smile more, as laughter is a great way of managing stress and colleagues will be far more pleasant to a manager who makes an effort to be pleasant themselves. Rather than getting upset when colleagues disagree, a manager should listen actively and find the areas of agreement. Of course, a manager has to be assertive and stand up for themselves, but do not be rigid.

If possible, spend more time with optimistic people, because negative people can pull even the most optimistic people down to their level. Choose to work with people who have a positive attitude instead, and find a mentor or friend who is a good listener, as having someone to talk to can be an effective stress management technique.

Don’t Waste Time Stressing

There are some things that are just not worth worrying about, so don’t waste time stressing over them. Equally, a manager must realise that there is no point worrying about things they just cannot change. Another way to reduce job stress is to improve time management and organisational skills. A manager has to learn to say “no” when they need to, ask for help when they need it and stop setting unrealistic goals for themselves.

Finally, getting more sleep is vital for stress reduction. This will help reduce overall stress levels and will have knock-on benefits at the office. As well as reducing stress, more sleep can increase energy levels and a manager’s ability to concentrate.