How to Manage Stress at Work

In the working world, you have probably heard of the popular phrase “taking a mental health day“. Perhaps you have taken one yourself or had a compassionate boss that encouraged you to take one. Of course you would never say to others that you need a mental health day (at least not out loud), but perhaps you called in sick and while you are not technically, it’s simply due to work related stress.

There is nothing like a work environment to bring about stress. It is a testing ground to be challenged, to achieve and to grow. That often times leads to stress at work. Some can take stress and use it to their advantage, thriving off competition and the adrenaline rush of attempting to meet a short turn around or deadline. They thrive off chaos and the creative process that doesn’t follow a linear path. Others may feel overwhelmed and pressured; they would require stress management at work. They might also prefer more structure and to work more methodically or alone.

When it comes to working together in a team, amongst all the moving parts; it’s a fine balance between the stress that is good–the kind that motivates some and the stress that’s bad–leaving others burned-out, wanting to quit and find another job. Therefore, managing stress at work is a topic that is of interest to most people. In 2014, Forbes reported on a survey conducted by Monster.com where 42% had actually left a job because of the stress. Nearly half of employees surveyed report having missed time at work due to work-related stress and an even greater number, 61%, say that workplace stress has caused them actual physical illness, with insomnia, depression, and family issues cited as results. Seven percent of employees report having been hospitalized as the result of work-related stress and twenty-five percent reported drinking alcohol as a way to cope with the stress.

In a work situation, interpersonal conflicts seem to take the most toll in creating work stress. Miscommunication and conflicting work styles and ethics is usually the basis for these conflicts and people generally look forward to the weekend to recover from work related stress and get away from their co-workers. Another reason could be not being able to organize oneself that leads to work stress. Sadhguru takes the example of an entrepreneur:

An entrepreneur does something that he cares for, that he wants to do. So it matters to him. His work is important. Once your work is important, the most important thing is, you must work upon yourself. This is completely missing. Managing a business essentially means you are managing thousands of minds. If you can’t manage yours, how will you manage theirs? If you manage yours, where is the question of pressure? Where is the question of stress? There is no such thing. Work is not pressure. Work is not stress. It is your inability to manage yourself which is the stress. Watch this video as he expands further: Why Am I Stressed?

Amongst the healthy ways of relieving stress such as with an number of relaxing activities where one is not rushed or pressured, there is the practice of yoga and meditation. Many employers, seeing the importance of managing stress at work are now giving free yoga classes and building meditation rooms or gardens on-site. They see the value of providing stress relievers at work.

Inner Engineering is a program that offers tools to manage stress at work and gives you tools you can employ to relieve work related stress. This program offers keys for meaningful and fulfilling relationships at work, home, community, and most importantly, within oneself. In the following video, a Vice President of Sears in Canada found life balance and relief from work stress. He describes his journey of personal growth – he learned how to become a better leader, father, and husband. He gained a greater sense of focus at work, and energy to spend on himself. Hear how the program helped him find relief from work stress and how he is managing stress at work:

Similarly, Julie Khan is a marketing professional who has used Inner Engineering to alleviate the fear and stress she was feeling as a result of her job. Watch as she shares her experience of managing work related stress:

Raj Maturi is an ophthalmologist who used Inner Engineering to increase his efficiency, reduce his stress levels and completely come off of his cholesterol medication. Watch as he shares how he now manages work related stress:

Everyday, people from all walks of life are benefitting from the tools of Inner Engineering and sharing their feedback, which is live and on-going here:

https://innerengineering.sadhguru.org/online/testimonials

How do you best manage stress at work? Have you ever called in sick or taken a mental health day because of work related stress? What stress relievers worked for you? Please share your comments below.