It’s Stress Awareness Month: Five Tips To Help You De-Stress On The Job

By Erica Sobers
April 05, 2019


April is Stress Awareness Month. Stress can negatively affect us by manifesting itself physically, emotionally and even mentally. Stressors can come from all around, but- occupational stress, as the name suggests, is directly related to your job. Occupational stress is usually caused by overbearing workloads, job dissatisfaction, and work environment. With long hours, life and death situations, and pressure to always be at the top of their game, it’s no surprise that health care workers and first responders have some of the highest reported cases of stress.

Burnout-emotional, mental and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress is especially prevalent within medical occupations. This not only affects their ability to effectively treat patients but can also spill into their personal lives.  Some organizations are even putting tactics in place to help their employees avoid burnout.

Here are five ways to help de-stress:

Take Time Off

This may seem like a no-brainer but guilt keeps a lot of people from taking the vacation time or PTO they’ve earned. Take a vacation not only because you’ve earned it, but because separating yourself from your day to day life and getting a change of scenery can be the reset you need to go back to work clear headed and ready to work efficiently.

Meditate

Mindfulness Meditation is a practice that incorporates tactics such as breathing exercises and guided imagery that is meant to help you focus and clear your mind from distractions for a few minutes a day.  Try this free Mindfulness Training Challenge.

Get Moving

Exercise releases endorphins that help reduce stress.  During your lunch break or when you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a brief break to walk outside and get some sun. This can help clear your mind and when done often helps trim your waistline.

                                          Get Some Zzz’s

Sleep is essential and can help reduce the side effects of burnout and stress. Because health care workers often have to make life or death decisions, being alert is especially important to have sound judgment. If you feel tapped out and don’t have time for hours of rest, short naps are a great way to recharge.

 Connect

Relationships are vital to humans. Having social support allows you to talk about what’s on your mind in a familiar space. Support from friends and family can also help you feel like you are not the only one dealing with stress.

 

 


Author Erica Sobers has been with UPIC since its inception in 2014 and has had her hand in just about everything at UPIC.  She spends half of her time assisting patients through UPIC’s contact center and recently helped launch the move from one CRM to another. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @UPICHealth.

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