Take positive action against workplace stress

Your job may be full of pressure, but that doesn’t mean you have to be at the mercy of work-related stress. You’ll stay healthier, happier, and more productive with these tips for keeping stress under control wherever you work:

• Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep diminishes your ability to deal with stress. Don’t burn the midnight oil trying to stay caught up. Seven or eight hours of sleep every night will help you stay calm and patient throughout the day.

• Plan to worry. Set aside 30 minutes regularly to think about what’s bothering you. If you know you’ll be able to tackle your problems, they won’t nag at you so much throughout the day.

• Resist the urge to vent. Expressing your feelings isn’t the same as losing control. Lashing out at others can intensify your sense of frustration, especially if you can’t do anything about the situation. You’ll also alienate the people around you. Focus on solving problems without exploding.

• Find your stress triggers. Pay attention to the causes of stress in your workplace. By observing what’s likely to make you nervous, impatient, or angry, you’ll be able to head off an ugly incident with your co-workers.

• Exercise. Regular exercise keeps you healthier overall. Some scientific evidence suggests that exercise reduce levels of a hormone called cortisol, which is released by the adrenal glands when you’re feeling stressed, and which can damage your body if levels stay too high for too long. Low-impact exercises such as yoga can help you relax your mind as well as your body.

• Recognize the symptoms. Some people try to ignore the presence of stress in their lives, but if you’re suffering from warning signs like lingering head­aches, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, or stomach problems, you may be hiding from a very real threat to your health. Pay attention to what your body is telling you before stress takes its toll.