5 better ways to cope with workplace stress than breaking your computer

If you have a job, chances are high that you don’t like it. In fact, according to a 2012 survey conducted in the US by Right Management, approximately 66% of participants admitted they are either “somewhat dissatisfied” or “completely unsatisfied” with their current work situation. That’s a lot of unhappy employees.

Whether you’re dealing with difficult personalities, unfulfilling job responsibilities, low pay, or just plain malaise, you may find it nearly impossible to keep heading into the office, day after day. While it’s tempting to go looking for other prospects, that’s not always possible in a shaky economy. In this article we gathered some tips on how to cope with a job that you can’t leave … yet.

Let’s get physical

It’s been well established by the medical community that physical exercise lowers stress levels. Exercise releases endorphins, that feel-good hormone that provides a sense of exhilaration while you’re getting your sweat on.

If you’re stressed at your job and have been avoiding an exercise regime, make it an important part of your day. It doesn’t take much: just 30 minutes of physical activity is not only good for your body, but your mood, as well. For one week, try devoting your lunch break to taking a walk. Evaluate how you feel afterward. You can always eat your lunch at your desk when you get back.

Don’t procrastinate dealing with problems

When conflicts arise, it’s human nature to avoid them like crazy. However, that only prolongs the agony while bad feelings simmer, creating a toxic work environment for everyone involved. Identify potential issues immediately, deal with them head on, and resolve small problems before they balloon into massive disasters.

What’s the worst that could happen?

Bob Parsons, CEO of GoDaddy.com, is not a big fan of living with indefinable consequences. In his ’16 Rules for Survival’ on Lifehack.org, businessman Bob Parsons suggests approaching potentially frightening and stressful situations by asking, “What’s the worst possible outcome?”

Ask yourself the same question when you’re riddled with anxiety over giving a big presentation, facing unreasonable colleagues or bosses or asking for a raise. The truth is, none of these situations will kill you. Regardless of the outcome, you will walk away from them. You might feel chagrined and hopefully a little wiser from the experience, but you will live to tell the tale. Stay focused on the big picture, and keep a healthy perspective.

Stop your gossip-mongering

The office is rife with distractions. In fact, more and more employees are coming into work early and staying late in order to avoid them. Idle chit chat and gossip are among the biggest distractions suffered by workers, and if you’ve ever had a co-worker who just wouldn’t leave you alone, constantly coming to your desk to talk about other people, you know how frustrating it can be.

Don’t be a part of the problem. Disengage from the gossip. If your busy-body colleague simply doesn’t get the hint that you’re not interested in participating, tell them that you’re slammed with work and just don’t have the time to talk. Or, explain to them that gossip makes you feel negative and unproductive. It might force them to take a closer look at their own distracting habits.

Create a rich life outside of the office

The concept of creating work-life balance only recently started getting the credit it deserves. According to a recent study conducted by the PwC, about 70 percent of Generation Ys with college educations surveyed feel that creating a life separate from their career is essential.

If your job is bringing you stress, one of the best ways to counteract those negative vibes is by crafting a full, satisfying existence that has nothing to do with your work. Pursue a hobby about which you are passionate, take a class, involve yourself in a community of like-minded individuals, and make quality time with your friends and family. You might just find that, in spite of your less-than-stellar job, your personal life is actually pretty great. That’s going to carry you through a multitude of hardships, no matter their source.

This article was written by one of our guest authors Danielle Hernandez.

If you would like to see more tips on how to fight stress you can download some of our free books on stress management.