Top business and career coaches from Forbes Coaches Council offer firsthand insights on leadership development & careers.
Is stress eating you alive? Do you feel an overwhelming pressure to perform and can’t seem to get that nagging work voice out of your head? You are not alone.
As many as 39% of workers report feeling stress from their workload, with another 31% affected by the people they work with, according to a report by Statista. And team leaders and executives are not immune to workplace stress. Not only is stress bad for mental health, but it can cause severe physical symptoms, especially if it is an ongoing issue.
There are a lot of different ways to cope, and what works for someone else may not work well for you. To help you find the right solution, 10 members of Forbes Coaches Council, below, weigh in on some of the practical strategies that modern professionals can easily incorporate into their life to reduce stress. Here’s what they suggest trying:
1. Incorporate A Self-Care Ritual
Incorporate a non-negotiable self-care ritual that allows you time to reflect, relax and reboot at the end of each project, assignment or venture. This allows you to process and appreciate your wins while giving you down time to prepare for your next endeavor – Sierra Rainge, Sierra Rainge Global Enterprises
2. Allocate Your Energy Wisely
Prioritize constantly and ask yourself often, “What’s the best use of my time right now?” Delegate as much as reasonable and be willing to invest in experts — accountants, organizers, and appropriate coaches — to help you be more efficient, productive and sane. And don’t forget to take care of yourself: You can’t do well if you don’t feel well. – Raleigh Mayer, Gravitas Guru
3. Let It Go
While urgency and speed are essential for success, it’s equally important to know when something is simply not worth the mental, emotional or physical energy, especially if it’s something that is largely out of your control. Maintaining a healthy perspective can also help you bounce back from setbacks and keep the positive energy flowing. – Sangita Kasturi, Action Inclusion
4. Articulate Your Overall Purpose
Stress is generated when you feel overloaded or overwhelmed for an extended period of time. It’s not only the volume of activity, but the variety of areas that encroach on one another: work, family, personal and community involvement. The goal is to articulate one’s overall purpose in life that incorporates all these areas, and then read it every day. – Guy Gage, Partners Coach
5. Stay Focused On Yourself And Your Journey
In the modern world, we live in a comparative. We compare and compete all the time. We do so by measuring “success” against someone. We forget that every single one of us has a completely different life story. If we can find a way to only compare our own timeline, our journey from where we came, to where we are and where we are going, we will find peace and joy in the journey, in the now. – Ajit Nawalkha, Evercoach