An executive oversees all the operational activities of an organization. They create strategies, devise policies, plan and sometimes manage some organizational costs. They may also travel to various locations in order to represent their organization at meetings and conferences. Being tasked with all these responsibilities can take a mental toll on a workplace executive.
Below are tips to help every executive manage stress.
Work with a Corporate Life Coach
Juggling executive-level responsibilities and family commitments can be tough, and a life coach may come in handy to help you get back on the right track. These coaches can help you know how to manage your time effectively to create a better work-life balance. Coaching programs like these, such as the ones provided by The Goodlife Institute, can be invaluable when you want to avoid burnout and excessive stress in your career.
Have an Exercise Routine
Regular physical exercises allow your body to relax and produce stress-relieving hormones. Also, exercising gives your mind a sense of control, increases your self-esteem, and helps you to manage your emotions better. Going for a quick workout in the gym, doing a couple of stretches, or going for a run also reduces the chances of cardiovascular diseases.
You can practice meditation if you are not into vigorous physical activities. Regular meditation eliminates tension, anxiety, and stress as it gives you a sense of inner peace and eliminates negative emotions.
Recognize Your Stressors and Ways to Respond to Them
Some situations that can trigger stress include being late for work or an important meeting, work overload, impromptu meetings, and more. Knowing how your body reacts when faced with stressful situations can help you manage them better. Some people get headaches, feel nauseated and get emotional, while others clench their jaws, become loud, and their heartbeat increases when they get stressed.
Fortunately, you can build skills to handle these involuntary reactions. For example, if having a headache is your stress warning sign, you can take a break, practice slow breathing, take a walk or listen to your favorite music in order to calm your mind.
Keep Your Head in the Game
When you’re stressed out at work, chances are that you’re also feeling overwhelmed. You might be worried about the 80 emails on your desk, a dire meeting with a colleague, or the long list of meetings that need to be attended. While it can feel terrible when you’re trying to live up to all these responsibilities and all those worries, try not to let them get to you and distract you from your goal. Take one step at a time, and keep moving forward, even if multiple items seem overwhelming.
Get Ample Sleep
It might be hard to prioritize sleep as an executive because you will always have unfinished tasks that need to be done, but having enough sleep can do wonders for your mind and body. Sleeping for at least eight hours a night ensures that your body is fully recharged for the next day, your brain is more focused, and you have high energy levels.
In order to prepare your body for sleep, avoid eating food just before bed and using electronic gadgets like phones and laptops 30 minutes before bed. Also, write a list of unfinished tasks that you will handle the next day to allow your mind to relax.
Start Scheduling
As an executive, you have more responsibilities and tasks to accomplish. Handling several tasks can be overwhelming, and you can forget to attend an important meeting or pay bills. If you schedule all your activities, you are more likely to commit to them.
Have a work schedule involving all your work meetings, deadlines for important projects, etc. Also, to avoid neglecting your personal life, create a schedule that may involve activities like vacation days, lunch with your family or partner, picking up groceries or exercise days.
Conclusion
Managing stress at work is very complicated because the same thing that may give you a feeling of achievement in one setting can just as easily ruin you in another. There are many factors to consider when handling stress at work, and by knowing what not to do and how to handle situations correctly, you could be on your way to enjoying a more productive and enjoyable work experience.