How to Deal With Work Stress

When you get home from work, do you spend time with your family, relax, eat, and prepare for the next...

Coping Skills
March 21, 2025

When you get home from work, do you spend time with your family, relax, eat, and prepare for the next day, or do you sit staring at the ceiling, wondering how to deal with work stress? There are several ways how you can deal with work stress. Being self-aware is one of the best ways to deal with work stress. Self-awareness will help you know your work stressors. In addition, knowing and understanding what your employer expects of you will help you deal with work stress. This article will share 11 ways to deal with work stress, essential to maintain your overall well-being. Dealing with work stress is something you get rid of slowly. It is a process that takes time and dedication to master.

How to deal with work stress [11 Ways]

1. Be Self-aware

Self-awareness helps you have control over your emotions and actions. Bearing that you can only control your thoughts and actions in a situation makes a huge difference since you understand you cannot control external factors. Therefore, when work pressure comes, instead of your reaction being stress, you deal with the situation calmly, in strides, and in a professional manner. It takes time to build self-awareness; in that process, you will learn signs and symptoms and what triggers work stress.

2. Know and Understand Your Employer Expectations

Most employees need to know specifically what their employers expect of them. Statistics show that only 50% of employees know what is expected of them. Clarifying what your employer expects from you daily will prevent you from stressing over something irrelevant. As a result, you will have the time and energy to concentrate on the important things that add value to the company.

3. Plan your Morning Accordingly

Do you know you can get to work when stressed? So, something little at work can be massive since your stress cup is already overflowing. Plan the night before if you need to prepare the kids for school. Planning will help avoid last-minute preparations, which leave you enough time to prepare for your day, eat a proper breakfast, and have your energy ready for the day.

4. Plan your Day

Planning is crucial to dealing with work stress. Your actual work can cause stress when you think of what awaits you. Having a notebook where you can write a to-do list for the day helps break down tasks into more manageable bits. Also, having a to-do list will help organize tasks depending on their urgency and difficulty level. Relief comes when you finish a task on your list.

5. Understand your Colleagues

In a work environment, people have different personalities. When you do not understand the people you work with, then conflict will be unavoidable. Conflict in the workplace is exhausting to the mind and the body. Additionally, you can only avoid people for a while. Therefore, you can deal with work stress from colleagues by understanding their personalities, which will help you keep in your lane.

6. Set precise work and personal life boundaries

For how many hours do you stay in the office?

Being too available for work is a sure way of getting work stress; too much of something is poisonous. When it's time to go home, finish your current work. Alternatively, you can reschedule it for the next day. Let there be a clear distinction between work and your personal life. Set time aside for self-care and socializing; balancing your life is how you deal with work stress.

7. Single-task Instead of Multitasking

The brain is programmed to do one task at a time. So when you do more than one task at a time, your brain keeps switching from one task to another, and in the end, your productivity is affected. When productivity is low, then work stress is inevitable. However, you can accomplish more when you do a single task; thus, you deal with work stress.

8. Take care of Yourself

Take care of yourself while you are at home and work. At home, prioritize sleep, eat well, exercise physically, and have fun. While at work, intentionally set time to eat, drink water, and stretch when you have sat for long hours. Remember, a hungry man is an angry man. You achieve a lot when you are fresh and full and deal with work stress more effectively.

9. Use relaxation techniques

Knowing how to use relaxation techniques is another way to deal with work stress. Since it is next to impossible to have work stress, you can find mental, emotional, and physical relief. There are different relaxation techniques that you can apply when dealing with work stress; journaling, yoga, focusing on breathing, meditation, and mindfulness, to name but a few. The techniques will differ depending on your preference.

10. Get rid of distractions

Distractions at work come in different forms. Your colleagues can be distracting since most work stress comes from office politics. Other distractions are physical. Your chair and the environment you are in can either improve your productivity or cause work stress. How to deal with work stress is by getting a good chair and working in a quiet environment.

11. Apply for work elsewhere

If all the above ways to deal with work stress do not provide relief, then it is time for you to apply for work in another organization. At times, you might do your level best, but the work environment might not work for you or be toxic. Also, sometimes a new environment might be the relief you were looking for.

Benefits of Learning How to Cope

  1. Better mental and physical health; dealing with work stress can improve your overall well-being as an employee.
  2. Improved productivity; when you can deal with work stress, you are more likely to improve your productivity which will meet your employer's expectations.
  3. Greater job satisfaction; when you can deal with work stress, you are likely to be satisfied with your job, thus, will stay longer with your employer.

FAQs about Coping Strategies

  1. What are some effective coping strategies for work-related stress? There are 11 ways how to deal with work stress shared above.
  2. How can I manage work stress caused by a heavy workload? Dealing with workload can be challenging but not impossible. One, you can discuss the workload with your seniors and see if you can get help from a colleague, and set realistic goals starting with the ones that are a priority.
  3. How can I handle work stress caused by interpersonal conflicts? The best way to deal with conflict with your colleagues is by learning conflict resolution skills, and when things get hard, you can request help from a colleague or senior.

Potential Consequences If Someone Doesn't Address Their Issues

  1. A decline in physical and mental health; when work stress is not addressed, it can eventually have severe consequences on your physical and mental health, like weakening your immune system and depression.
  2. Decreased productivity; unaddressed work stress can greatly impact your productivity by impairing your concentration, creativity, and decision-making capabilities.
  3. Strained relationships at work; unaddressed work stress can strain relationships because no one would want to deal with you when you are angry and irritable.

Conclusion

Work stress is a common issue that can significantly impact your well-being and productivity. Dealing with work stress proactively and implementing effective coping strategies is crucial. You can better manage work stress by being self-aware, understanding employer expectations, planning effectively, and setting boundaries. Developing conflict resolution skills, practicing single-tasking, taking care of ourselves, and using relaxation techniques can also contribute to a healthier work environment. Failing to address work stress can lead to declining mental and physical health, decreased job performance, and strained relationships. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize coping strategies and seek support when needed to maintain overall well-being and job satisfaction.

Resources

https://calipercorp.com/blog/self-awareness-in-the-workplace/

https://blog.clearcompany.com/mind-blowing-statistics-performance-reviews-employee-engagement#:~:text=Only%20around%2050%25%20of%20employees,be%20successful%20in%20their%20role.

https://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/16/health/single-tasking-stress-productivity/index.html

https://www.thisiscalmer.com/blog/21-relaxation-techniques-reduce-stress-at-work

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2017/01/23/five-unmistakable-signs-its-time-to-change-jobs/?sh=115969b225dc

https://www.betterup.com/blog/stress-management-at-work

Author
Jennifer Luttman, LPC, ACS

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.

Common Questions about Coping Skills

How do Self-Soothing Techniques Work on the Body?

The techniques activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which increases tolerance to distress, decreases physical discomfort, slows impulsive behaviors, and helps redirect a person's focus to bring it back to the present.

What are some ways to avoid unnecessary stress?

To avoid unnecessary stress, avoid people who cause you anxiety, and avoid sensitive topics with others. Shorten your to-do list, and learn how to say no; that is, know your limits so you don't take on more than you can handle.

Do I need to have a specific career goal or aspiration to work with a life coach?

Not necessarily. A life coach can help you identify and clarify your career aspirations if you are unsure of what you want to achieve in your career. They can also help you explore different options and develop an action plan for moving forward

What is solution-focused coping?

Solution-focused coping, also known as problem-focused coping, involves taking direct action to address the cause of the stressful situation. This can include identifying the problem, brainstorming possible solutions, and implementing a plan of action.

When should I seek professional help for my emotional overwhelm?

If your feelings of emotional overwhelm persist despite your efforts to cope, or if they begin to negatively impact your daily functioning, relationships, or overall well-being, it's important to seek professional help from a mental health professional such as a therapist or counselor.

Potential Consequences if Someone Doesn't Address Their Emotional Overwhelm

  • Increased risk of mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression
  • Strained relationships due to poor emotional regulation and communication
  • Reduced productivity and job satisfaction as a result of chronic stress
  • Lower overall well-being and life satisfaction

How can I identify the root cause of my emotional overwhelm?

Reflect on recent events, stressors, or changes in your life that may be contributing to your feelings of overwhelm. Consider journaling about your emotions and experiences to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying causes.