How I Handle Stress at Work

In this article I’ll explore a variety of effective strategies to make your work life not only more manageable but also significantly more enjoyable by implementing the tools and techniques I use to manage and reduce stress from work.
I’ll delve into practical tips and techniques that can help reduce stress, increase productivity, and enhance your overall job satisfaction. By implementing these strategies, you can create a more balanced and fulfilling work environment that supports both your professional and personal well-being.

I'm Mollie Hollie, a hypnotist, coach, business owner, and team leader at a large corporation. Balancing these roles has given me a unique perspective on handling stress in the workplace. Today, I want to share some of the strategies I use to manage stress, from emotional and frustration stress to time pressures and uncertainty.

Dealing with Emotional Stress

Emotional stress can strike when you least expect it, be it from upsetting comments, an overwhelming sense of exhaustion, or things going terribly wrong. Here’s how I cope while feeling the emotional stress:

Embracing Crying as a Release: There's no shame in crying. Whether I find a quiet meeting room, retreat to my car, or take a walk outside, crying is a natural and effective emotional release.
Mood Motion Magic Audio: When crying isn’t an option, I turn to the Mood Motion Magic Audio. This five-minute audio helps me acknowledge, release, and resolve intense emotions without repressing them.

Sometimes we’re having a bad day or week and someone uses the wrong tone or unintentionally ignores you and in that moment you want to cry, scream, hide or run away, which is totally normal (repeat after me “this is normal. I’m allowed to feel. It’s ok to feel!”) particularly if your stress threshold is already close to overflowing.

If the emotional stress is a recurring issue, there may be emotional triggers that need to be addressed, or a discussion may be necessary with the person causing the stress.

Handling Frustration Stress

Frustration can boil over when dealing with misunderstandings or mistakes. In all honesty, this could also be considered emotional stress. However, when it's due to frustration, I find this strategy works well:

Writing Emails—But Not Sending Them: This helps me vent my frustration without causing workplace strife. It's crucial not to send these emails while still emotional.
Practicing Empathy: Reflecting on the other person’s situation often mitigates my frustration. Understanding their perspective helps preserve workplace relationships.
Listening to Music: Sometimes, relaxing tunes or sound baths can soothe my nerves, especially when my frustration may actually be due to hunger or lack of fresh air.

Managing Time Pressure

When deadlines loom and tasks pile up, the pressure can be intense. Here’s how I navigate these situations:

One Task at a Time: Focusing on one step at a time prevents me from feeling overwhelmed. Completing each task methodically ensures efficiency.
Prioritizing Ruthlessly: I evaluate my to-do list to identify tasks that can wait, allowing me to focus on the most urgent and high-priority items.

Coping with Uncertainty

Workplace uncertainty—whether about job security, promotions, or upcoming projects—can be highly stressful. Here’s what helps me stay grounded:

Building Self-Confidence: By planning for different scenarios and knowing my strengths, I feel more prepared to handle whatever comes my way. Reflecting on past successes in navigating change also bolsters my confidence.
Formulating back-up plans: Whenever the company I work for goes through a restructure, version 3647495, I take it as an opportunity to reflect on what I could do. It's not a desperate act but more of a curious thought and research exercise.

Preventing Stress with Daily Habits

Preventing stress is often more effective than managing it after it arrives. Here are some daily habits that keep my stress levels low:

Quality Sleep: Listening to sleep hypnosis ensures I get a restful night’s sleep, which is crucial for managing stress.
Fresh Air and Nature: Taking walks outside helps me reset and refresh my mind.
High-Protein Snacks: Keeping healthy snacks on hand prevents hunger-induced stress.
Energy Reset Meditation: A quick 10-minute meditation session can work wonders for resetting my energy levels.
Laughter: Whether it’s sharing laughs with colleagues or watching funny videos, laughter is an incredible stress reliever that can’t be overlooked.

From Overwhelmed to Empowered