Hey mama. Are you feeling like every day brings a new challenge at work that you can’t seem to tackle? Do you find yourself on an emotional rollercoaster, unsure of why you’re feeling this way? Have you noticed a short fuse with your kids or an inexplicable annoyance with coworkers who haven’t really done anything wrong?
It’s worth considering stress as the culprit behind these feelings — a tricky opponent, showing up in many unexpected ways.
Personally, my stress tends to show up physically, tightening my shoulders to the point where they’re practically touching my ears, and emotionally, making me snappy with the people I love.
Understanding how stress affects you is the first step to managing it. Once you know, you can start to reduce its impact, leading to a calmer and more controlled life.
The Root of the Problem: Workplace Stress
It’s no mystery that our jobs can be significant sources of stress. Research points to specific factors that increase our work-related tension:
- Excessive Workloads: Whether it’s covering for a colleague who’s left or picking up someone else’s slack, an overwhelming workload is a common stressor.
- Unrealistic Deadlines: Deadlines that don’t align with your capacity can surge your stress levels.
- Lack of Personal Time: Not having enough moments for family, self-care, or health can amplify your stress.
- Lack of Clear Direction: Uncertainty about your role or tasks can lead to frustration and stress.
Identifying the root cause of your stress is crucial. Knowing what triggers your stress gives you the power to start tackling and relieving it effectively.
Breathe in the beauty of your dreams, exhale the clutter of the mind, and find peace in the present moment
Strategies to Alleviate Work-Related Stress
- Eliminate and Delegate
Evaluate your tasks. Some may no longer be relevant or could be handled by others. Shedding unnecessary tasks or delegating can dramatically reduce your stress.
- Single-Tasking
Though multitasking is often admired, focusing on one task at a time can be surprisingly reassuring and stress-reducing. Give single-tasking a try and notice the difference.
- Conscious Breathing
Set aside 1-3 minutes a few times a day for deep breathing exercises. This simple act can significantly lower your stress levels, relieving physical and emotional tension.
- Take a Walk
A short walk, focusing on your breath, can be a quick but effective stress reliever. Whether it’s around the block or up and down stairs, movement helps.
- Take a Day Off
It might seem counterintuitive, but taking a day off can re-energize you, providing the mental clarity needed to tackle tasks more efficiently, thus reducing stress.
- Ask for Help
Don’t hesitate to ask for help, either with your workload or personal responsibilities. Doing so can lighten your load and offer relief.
Asking for direct help can be a game-changer. This means explicitly requesting support with specific tasks, whether it be professional projects or household chores like laundry. Direct help is the immediate lifeline you can use when you’re sinking into an ocean of tasks and tight schedules.
Another helpful strategy is indirect help. It’s a bit subtler but just as effective in reducing stress. Indirect help means delegating tasks that, while not urgent, free you up to tackle the ones causing the most stress.
For example, instead of asking someone to take on one of your urgent tasks, you could delegate something less pressing, like preparing dinner. “Could you handle dinner tonight so I can focus on this important project?” This kind of indirect help creates time and mental space for you to concentrate on your high-stress tasks.
Wrapping Up
If you’re feeling perpetually anxious, or trapped in a cycle of emotional turbulence, it could very well be stress working its way through your life. Take a moment to understand the driving factors behind your stress and actively work towards relieving it. Moving through the fear of addressing stress head-on can be challenging, but it’s also the pathway to less stress and more peace.
Keep in mind that you’re not alone in this. If it all seems too overwhelming, professional help can provide the support you need to navigate through your stress.
If you like more conversations about thriving and living fully as a working mom, check out my podcast, The Savvy Working Mom, on Spotify or anywhere you listen to your podcasts. We also talk a lot about prioritization, time management, how to be more fulfilled, and how to find peace in this overwhelming world we live in.
Don’t forget to sign up for my free resource library. You’ll get free printable worksheets, workbooks, and checklists to help with goal setting, time management, and self-care for busy moms.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, follow these 4 easy steps to find some peace: How To Get Unstuck.
