How To Work Better Under Stress

We are being challenged every day by different stressors. Some degree of stress can give us a push to get things done. Too much stress may cause problems. Besides having difficulty concentrating, it may affect our efficiency, productivity and cause symptoms such as headaches, unexplained stomach upset, insomnia or recurrent infections. In addition, being in a chronically stressful state may cause other health problems and affect our mental health.

It is important to handle stress in a way that we are not just barely getting by. It is possible to thrive and coexist with stress. Everyone’s stress tolerance is different. It is vital to know yourself well, so that you know what you can handle or not. The level of stress you can tolerate changes over time. A big part of it depends on how you think.

Know when you feel stressed, to the point that is uncomfortable. How does it feel in your body? It is common to have some tight feeling in the chest. Some people may experience head pounding, headache, palpitations, stomach cramps or other nonspecific physical symptoms. Some people may also experience trouble with focusing or easily be distracted.

When you feel stressed, identify what is causing you to feel that way. Is it something about your work? Is it about a specific event, family member or a conflict? Once you know what the situation is, identify your opinion about that situation. This is a very important step, as the situation itself does not cause you to feel stressed. It is your opinion about the situation that is making you feel the way you feel. For example, you are feeling stressed. There are twenty-seven patients to see today while you normally see no more than twenty. What is making you feel stressed is that, in your opinion, there are too many patients on your schedule.

Once you know what is causing you to feel stressed, the next step is to figure out what you can control and what you cannot control. You cannot control how sick the patients are. You cannot control what your patients are going to tell you. You can, however, control how to take care of your patients, You can lead the discussion with your patients by asking questions you need to know the answers to. Whatever you cannot control, it is not helpful to imagine what if things are not the way they are. Those things have already happened and you cannot go back in time to change them.

There are ways to handle stress better and work better. In other words, we can practice to handle more stressful situations without a negative impact.

Preparation is always important. If you are always prepared to have surprises or unexpected events, when they occur, there will be less stress about their existence. You are already mentally prepared for their arrival.

Make sure to fill your tank full and well. The more physical and mental reserve you have, the more capacity there is to handle stress. Getting a good night’s sleep is an important step to prepare you for a day full of challenges. Taking breaks during the day gives your body and mind the time to recharge. Exercise daily builds your physical and mental health. Incorporate some mindfulness exercise in your routine will also help you stay calm under pressure. For example, taking deep breaths or pausing for a few minutes.

When you feel stressed, it is also important to remind yourself what your goal for the day is. While you have a long-term goal, in times when you feel stressed, focus on the present. What is the goal for the day? What needs to be done to achieve that goal for the day?

Find your support team. Talk to someone. Maybe your coworker is someone to talk to, as she knows exactly what you are going through. Asking for help is important. If you are stuck with something, another person may be able to get you unstuck in a few minutes.

When you feel stressed, acknowledge it rather than avoiding the feeling. Identify what the situation is and what your opinion about that situation is causing you to feel stressed. Always prepare yourself for unexpected events. Health habits such as getting adequate sleep, doing exercise and practicing mindfulness can help you manage stress better. To work better under stress, focus on the present and prioritize. Take breaks. Take some deep breaths. Control what you can control. Talk to someone or ask for help.