More ways to cope with stress in high-pressure jobs or situations

In the previous article, we shared some ways to handle highly-stressed job situations.

Exercise, meditation and journaling may be good tips for some people, but if you feel they are not working for you, here are some more ways to beat the stress.

1. Practice

Giving presentations or talking to clients and stakeholders can make anybody feel anxious or nervous.

If this is what your job entails, then do what the experts do - practise in front of a mirror or your peers if possible.

Going through repeatedly gives you confidence and helps you make the best speech possible.

Presenting with your colleagues or peers can give you immediate feedback and prepare you with possible questions and give you time to prepare answers.

2. Communicate

Stress can come from many sources, especially from unresolved issues.

A key to fixing the solution is to communicate the issue as soon as possible - an e-mail, text, or verbally.

Communicating out the issues early can alert the team on the possible snow-ball problems that may arise later on.

The right kind of communication also matters. If a colleague just doesn’t reply to e-mails, dropping by his cubicle to talk can speed up action.

3. Routine

SOPs (Standard Operating Protocols) is a set of work flow procedures put in place to help achieve efficiency - so why not put one in place onhow you work?

The benefits of having a routine let you keep focus and cover more work area. With a planned timing, the consistency can also give you a better work-life balance and achieve more in your personal life.

4. Eating well

This tip may sound simple but yet, difficult to execute for some - especially when you have to work late in the office.

Food Network recommends tea, fatty fish, yogurt, nuts and fruits such as avocados and bananas to recharge a tired brain.

5. Eliminate interruptions

Group chats, work chats, meetings and sit-ins — interruptions can occur anytime and there’s only that many hours in a day to deal with them.

Business psychologist Sharon Melnick told Forbes that the best way to handle them is to accept it, diagnose its importance and make a plan.

Many interruptions might be recurring and can be anticipated.

6. Identify self-imposed stress

Lastly, look at the sources of your stress - are they within your control or beyond?

Is your stress due to seeking approval, work overload, or just self-imposed high expectations?

Identifying the source can allow you to shift your focus and prioritise what is most important.

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