WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
Developing Your Stress Management Skills
Developing YourStress Management Skills
Stress is something that everyone feels to some degree. From exam prep and job interviews to health issues and beyond, countless activities and life circumstances induce stress and anxiety. Finding a way to manage the effects of stress is key to leading a healthy, productive life.
This guide discusses stress management skills, why they matter, and how to apply them in the workplace. Read on to learn more.
What Is Stress Management?
Stress management involves strategies and techniques to improve the way people respond to stress. If ignored, too much stress can negatively impact the body and mind. While removing all forms of stress may be unrealistic, managing stress well is a skill that anybody can learn and develop. There are many different approaches to stress management, and one size does not fit all—the method that works best varies depending on the person and the stressor.
Some of the most common examples of stress management techniques include exercise, meditation, self-care activities, therapy, and connecting with others. The best management techniques account for both short-term and chronic stress.
Wow to Identify Causes of Stress?
Before anybody can manage their stress, they must first know how to identify its symptoms. Indicators of stress tend to manifest themselves physically, emotionally, and behaviorally. Consider the following causes of stress in both work and personal life:
- Physical. Physical indicators of prolonged stress may include headaches or brain fog, changes in appetite, sweaty palms, shaking, tiredness and insomnia, high blood pressure, increased reliance on substances, and panic attacks.
- Emotional. Emotional indicators often include anger, sadness, anxiety, low mood, apathy, and other changes to everyday emotional responses to other people.
- Behavioral. Behavioral indicators include irritability, despondency, forgetfulness, obsessive or compulsive tendencies, overeating, risk-taking, and social withdrawal.
Sometimes, it’s best to consult with a therapist or mental health professional to identify symptoms of stress and determine effective ways to manage these symptoms.
What Are the Benefits of Having Stress Management Skills?
Strong stress management skills will serve individuals well as they engage in day-to-day activities. These skills can come especially in handy in the workplace, where career growth occurs. Effectively managing different types of stress at work may lead to more productivity, better job opportunities, increased emotional intelligence, and more.
Consistent stress management can help professionals:
- Perform duties more efficiently.
- Nurture better relationships with coworkers.
- Achieve a better work-life balance.
- Prepare for role advancement.
- Resolve disputes.
- Prioritize time-sensitive tasks.
- Improve job satisfaction.
- Adapt to change.
Examples of Stress Management Skills in the Workplace
Stress management can be applied to many on-the-job scenarios. Some examples include the following:
Handling excessive workloads.
Techniques like breaking large tasks into small chunks, taking a walk, breathing in and out deeply, and setting reasonable deadlines can all help with overwhelming workloads.
Solving complex problems.
Reaching out to others, asking for help, brainstorming, and compartmentalizing are useful skills when faced with particularly difficult problems.
Navigating unclear expectations.
Proper communication and collaboration can mitigate the stress that comes with unclear direction. Asking clarifying questions, soliciting feedback, and establishing goals are useful strategies.
Resolving interpersonal conflicts.
These types of conflicts can easily create uncomfortable stress. Practicing conflict resolution, making compromises, and listening thoughtfully are just some ways to resolve workplace disagreements.
How Can I Use Stress Management Skills?
Many careers offer opportunities to use stress management skills to effect positive change. Here’s a look at three specific career roles:
- Business psychologist. Business psychologists are dedicated to helping organizations prosper through teaching the fundamentals of goal setting, communication, teamwork, empathy, and stress management.
- Psychiatric nurse practitioner. The job of a psychiatric nurse practitioner involves heavy emphasis on stress management strategies as they treat patients with mental health disorders.
- Behavior technician. Behavior technicians help clients who experience behavioral challenges and developmental disorders. Much of their work involves administering therapies and interventions built upon stress management principles.
