It’s been a few months since you’ve been back in the office. It’s been an adjustment after almost two years of working from home. Things are beginning to pick up the pace and you can feel yourself losing control.
That said, though the sight of a squeaky cleaned office (you might find the windows thoroughly cleaned with the help of trusted window cleaners and the workstations sparkling) and the familiar faces might reassure you at first, hearing your boss asking about the latest deadline might lead you to lose your calm. Moreover, you might notice that your client is in your inbox requesting a change to the project, or your team is in the conference room waiting for you to give direction. All this can make you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders.
So, what do you do when you feel overwhelmed at work? Slow down. This article will help you with strategies proven to work.
What to Do When You Feel Overwhelmed at Work
The first step is to take a deep breath and relax. It’s important not to let yourself get too stressed out. This can lead to making mistakes and poor decisions. Take a mental health day from work so you can recoup.
Once you’ve calmed down, it’s time to take a look at the situation and see what can be done to make it more manageable. If there are deadlines looming, see if there are any that can be pushed back. If there are requests from clients or team members, see if there are any that can be delegated or put on hold.
The goal is to reduce the number of things you’re responsible for so that you can focus on the most important tasks. This may mean saying no to some people, but it’s better than trying to do everything and doing it poorly.
Once you’ve taken care of the immediate situation, it’s time to look at the bigger picture. What are the underlying causes of your stress? Is there anything you can do to prevent this from happening again?
It may be helpful to talk to your boss or a trusted colleague about what’s going on. They may have suggestions for how to better handle your workload. It’s also a good opportunity to ask for help if you need it. Maybe you have to travel a lot to get to the office every day and it could be tiring for you. In that case, you can ask your boss for the option to work from home. Working from home can save you from the hassle of facing traffic each day. You can even get a lot of your household work by staying and working from home. All you need to do is get a stable internet connection and VPN software that can help you stay connected to the office servers. Even if you stay in a rural region, you can find internet options for rural areas easily with the help of a little research on the web. However, if there is some other issue that is overwhelming you, taking a break from work might be advisable.
How to Get Organized for Work
One of the best ways to reduce stress is to be better organized. This can help you stay on top of deadlines and prevent things from falling through the cracks.
Start by creating a list of everything you need to do. Include both work and personal tasks. Then, prioritize the items on the list by order of importance. Try to tackle the most important tasks first thing in the morning when you’re fresh and have more energy.
It can also be helpful to break down big projects into smaller tasks that can be completed over time. This will make them seem less daunting and make it easier to track your progress.
In addition to getting your own affairs in order, it’s also important to keep your workspace clean and organized. A cluttered desk can make it difficult to focus and be productive.
If needed, get an additional storage rack from a company like office monster. The extra space might help you keep your working space clean and organized better.
Take some time each day to tidy up your area. Put away any non-essential items and throw away any trash. This will help you stay focused on the task at hand and minimize distractions.
It’s also important to have a system for keeping track of deadlines and appointments. A simple calendar can go a long way in helping you stay on top of your commitments.
When to Seek Help for Work Stress
There are times when the stress of work is too much to handle on your own. If you find yourself overwhelmed at work and struggling to cope, it’s important to seek help from a qualified professional.
A therapist can help you identify the root cause of your stress and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Depending on your choices and preferences they can either suggest to you to start meditating, adopt yoga as part of your routine, or even ask you to spend time with yourself.
Spending time with the self can help unravel hidden problems as well as solve many complexities of life. All these in turn can bring peace to the mind, following which the brain can function better.
Some people who are aware of all these benefits often prefer spending time with themselves, maybe in dedicated man caves or she sheds, or going on retreats every now and then. Those interested in trying some of these can look up online for ideas on how to set up their own private space.
However, those who haven’t found any such mechanism to deal with their stress should reach out to a therapist. They happen to be the best people to provide support and guidance during times of crisis.
If you’re experiencing severe symptoms, such as anxiety or depression, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional immediately. At the Braden Counseling Center, we welcome clients in the Sycamore, Rochelle, Elgin, Geneva, Bartlett, and surrounding areas in Illinois.
Our licensed and compassionate professionals offer flexible scheduling including weekends and a free initial consultation. Book an appointment today to get the help you need.