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

What does a typical life coaching course look like?

A typical course consists of modules or lessons that cover topics such as goal setting, decision-making skills, problem-solving techniques, communication strategies, stress management techniques, mindfulness practices, etc. Each module will also offer assignments or exercises designed to help you move closer to achieving your goals.

What should I look for when choosing a coach?

It's important to find someone who has the relevant experience and qualifications, as well as someone with whom you feel comfortable working. Do some research into different programs and coaches before committing to one.

How long can the coaching last?

The length of mental health life coaching varies depending on the individual's goals and specific needs.

Some individuals may only require a few sessions, while others may require longer-term support.

How does a typical mental health life coaching session go?

A typical mental health life coaching session typically starts with setting an agenda based on the client's goals. The coach and client then discuss various topics that are related to the client's goals, such as identifying challenges, building self-awareness, developing new skills, and identifying strategies for overcoming obstacles. During the session, the coach provides guidance and feedback to help the client reach their desired outcome.

How does life coaching for careers differ from career counseling?

Career counseling focuses on assessing an individual's skills, interests, and personality to help them make informed career decisions.

Life coaching, on the other hand, focuses on helping individuals achieve their career goals and aspirations through goal setting, action planning, and ongoing support.

How can I find a qualified life coach for my career goals?

You can find a qualified life coach by asking for referrals from friends or colleagues, searching online directories or asking your professional network for recommendations.