The end of the year can be a stressful time for many business owners and employees. There are so many tasks that need to be completed, and it seems there isn't enough time to do so before the year ends. If you are feeling overwhelmed at work, don't worry — just follow these tips to beat work-related year-end stress.
1. Prioritize important and urgent tasks
There are certain tasks that absolutely must be completed by the end of the year, such as filing your taxes or submitting your company's budget proposal. However, other tasks can be pushed back until after the New Year.
You can also opt to delegate or outsource certain tasks so that you can focus on time-sensitive ones. For example, if you have IT support and management tasks on your plate, consider hiring a managed IT services provider to handle these for you.
2. Take breaks
Whenever you feel stressed, drained, or exhausted at work, take a break. Go out for a walk, listen to music, read a book, or even just have some quiet time at your workstation.
While it may seem counterintuitive to pause in the middle of the holiday bustle, taking frequent breaks can help you recharge your energy and stay productive.
Related reading: Tips to prevent employee burnout for remote teams
3. Practice relaxation techniques
When you're stressed, your body goes into "fight or flight" mode, which can make you feel like you're in danger even when you're not. Relaxation techniques can help you feel more relaxed and calm down your body's stress response.
Some relaxation techniques that you may want to try include:
Deep breathing
Take a deep breath in and hold it for a few seconds before exhaling. This oxygenates your blood and relaxes your muscles, which can help calm you down and better focus on work.
You can do deep breathing anywhere, and it only takes a few minutes. You can also use mobile apps like iBreathe for guided deep breathing sessions.
Progressive muscle relaxation
This technique involves tensing and relaxing the various muscle groups, which helps to reduce stress and tension in the body.
To do progressive muscle relaxation, you must first sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Take a deep breath in and tense your muscles for 5–10 seconds. Then, exhale and relax your muscles. Repeat this process for different muscle groups, including your arms, legs, back, and stomach.
Visualization
Visualization involves picturing yourself achieving a desired outcome, which can help you stay focused and motivated.
To visualize, close your eyes and breath deeply. Picture yourself in a calm place, such as a beach or forest, to relax your mind. Visualize yourself achieving the goal that you are working toward. For example, if you're feeling anxious about an upcoming presentation, picture yourself delivering the presentation confidently and successfully.
4. Talk to someone
If you're feeling overwhelmed at work, talk to a friend or family member. Speaking with someone who is outside your work situation can be helpful, as they can offer a fresh perspective.
You can also consider talking to a therapist or counselor. These professionals can help you pinpoint your stressors and help you create a tailored plan for managing stress and anxiety.
5. Practice a growth mindset
When you catch yourself stuck in negative thoughts about your work, try reframing the thoughts in a more positive light.
For example, instead of focusing on the amount of work that you need to finish, focus on how completing each task helps you move closer to your goal. You can also try to view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. This growth mindset can help reduce stress and increase your resilience in the face of setbacks.
These are just a few ways to reduce work-related stress. Try them all out to see which ones are effective for you. Also, don't hesitate to ask for help. If you’re stressing out over IT issues, let Quicktech handle them for you. Our proactive approach to IT management eliminates tech problems before they arise. Book a FREE consultation with us today.