5 Tips For Coping With Job Stress

5 Tips For Coping With Job Stress
by Mel Otero

performance. Obviously poor job performance or excessive absence for illness can
put you on the fast track to unemployment.

There are several strategies that will reduce the stress and help you remain focused
on the job. Try these tips:

1) Stay healthy. It is essential that you eat regular nutritious meals. You need to
exercise every day for at least 20 minutes. If you are not the gym type, do some
simple things that enforce exercise. For example, take a parking space as far away
from the store or mall as possible. The walk will be great. If you have the opportunity
to take stairs or an elevator, select the stairs. This is great cardio exercise.

2) Vent. Find a trusted friend or family member and get your anger and frustration
out in the open. Keeping negative feelings and thoughts locked inside will insure
health problems. One word of caution - do not vent to co-workers no matter how
trustworthy they appear.

3) Self-talk and affirmations. This may sound ridiculous to some, but give it a chance.
It works! When things get tense at work, go to the restroom or outside and do
some deep breathing and self-talk. In one job situation, I had branded my brain with
"this too shall pass." And, it did. You can write your own positive affirmations; a few
affirmations to get you started: I deserve the best and it comes to me now. I am
now free to do the things I love. Good things happen to me every day.

4) Humor. Watching a good comedy and laughing out loud is a proven stress
reliever. This is a technique used with patients suffering from serious illness. This is
not the time to watch dramas and love stories guaranteed to start the tears flowing.
Laugh, laugh, laugh and laugh some more.

5) Consider a Job Change. Depending on your occupation and location, you may
want to consider a job change. If the stressor is the boss, this may be the only
option. With the job market as fragile as it is, I would try coping with the stress first.
If the major stress is fear of becoming unemployed, you owe it to yourself to try
some coping strategies. If you do not get a handle on the stress, you are setting
yourself up for failure.

Even low level stress can be detrimental if it is never ending. It will adversely affect
your health, happiness and your relationships with friends and family. Using these
coping strategies on low level stress is a proactive step toward having more control
over your life and your emotions. It is wise to practice coping strategies before the
stress becomes unbearable.

About The Author

Mel Otero, author, worked in management in the mortgage banking industry and title
insurance industry for over 25 years. She has been mystery shopping part time for
over five years. She has started web sites and written articles to provide information,
resources and inspiration during this difficult economy. She loves to write, learn, and
share information. Get your free eBook and learn about

Most of us experience some level of
stress during the work day. Although
the stress is usually tolerable, in
many situations it is excessive or
prolonged. If you find yourself
overwhelmed by stress, you need to
be armed with excellent coping skills.
The source may be the stress of
impending deadlines, a demanding
boss, rude clients or an annoying
co-worker. In the current economy,
a huge stressor for many employees
is fear of losing the job. Working
under these conditions for extended
periods of time can result in health
issues and definitely affects job

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The content on
this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before using natural
remedies and before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise program.