What is job stress?
There are two kinds; the minor job stress simply comes from things like annoying phones or equipment that doesn’t work. The major job stress, which is what we are focusing on, is the result of things like too much work, not enough work, not getting along with your boss, unfulfilling work and fear of job loss.

However job stress is not a completely bad thing, it is good to have a bit of job stress. It can be the challenge that you need to go the extra mile. It is when it reaches high levels only that you need to start worrying about it.

The result
The results of this kind of job stress are things like unproductive work which leads to more job stress (a vicious cycle), stress outside the workplace as well, bad moods, depression, absenteeism, low morale and motivation, anger, boredom, anxiety, health issues, depression etc.

Here are some suggestions to deal with it

Meet with your supervisor
Communication and dialogue is very important and is the only way to resolve a lot of issues. Have regular meetings with your boos where you discuss the expectations from you, your performance and your frustrations. This is essential as he will be the main person who can both clarify and clear things for you. Remember to be mindful about the office politics and power struggles though.

Time management
Work should be at work, home should be home. Don’t bring work home, manage your time well so that you can finish your work and also have time for other activities. There is a reason why weekends exist!

Technology unplug
The problem with modern technology is that work can follow you everywhere you go, at whatever time of the day! This can blur the boundaries between work and home, and create stress even when you are supposed to be unwinding, result of which is stress. So when you are not at work unless it’s absolutely necessary switch off your work phone and blackberry, and don’t check email from home. Spend quality time with family and friends, it makes all the difference!

Improve your supervisor relationship
Bad relations with your boss could be why you find work to be hell. Differences in opinion and style between two people are normal and common. Try and understand where he is coming from and accept these differences and work with him to limit your workplace stress.

Open the lines of communication and carefully communicate to him your problems to see if he is open to your suggestions. Maybe you can ask him to try your way for a bit and show him that performance improves for it. Be very sensitive about it though as again office politics and power struggles should be kept in mind.

Modify your job situation
If you really like your employer but think that the job is too difficult or too boring for you, ask about tailoring your job to your skills.

Time out
When you feel the stress levels building, take a break. Get out for a bit, and do something that relaxes you and only then come back to the problem.

Clear the clutter
It is amazing how an organized desk can reduce stress even if we are naturally messy! So cut through the clutter and maintain a neat desk, and also make a to-do- list; things seem much less overwhelming when you can jot them down and cross them off!

Cultivate allies at work
They go a long way when you simply need to take a break or when you would like some help once you are extremely stressed. Remember to return the favor though!

Forget about being a perfectionist
Don’t try to be one, or expect others to be one. Nobody is perfect. Change your attitude to performing to your personal best, perfection is for the gods

Eat!
Breakfast, lunch and dinner and regular healthy snacks are very important! They reduce your stress level, give you energy and put you in a better mood. Don’t eat too much though as this makes you lethargic.

Workout
Exercise is a massive stress reducer, so try and incorporate some exercise to your daily routine and you can ‘work out’ a lot of stress!

Leave aside the cigarette
You may find smoking to be calming when you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed. But actually nicotine is a powerful stimulant which leads to higher, not lower levels of anxiety.

Sleep well
It’s a vicious cycle: too much stress disturbs sleep, and lack of sleep contributes to stress. When you are well rested you are much better to deal with workplace stress, so if you are in that vicious cycle, try to get out of it.

Start early
Going to work early reduces stress a lot as you don’t have to do the early morning rush both on the road and at your desk. This way you can also clear away a lot of work before the problems of the day are handed to you, reducing stress alot

Know when to quit
If you are truly miserable at the job and you have already tried rectifying the issues, and it’s the job not you that’s the problem, look at quitting. Try to make sure that you have another job lined up though as unemployment can also be stressful. If you don’t have another job lined up but wants to quit, decide what’s less stressful; unemployment or being miserable in your current job.

Final thoughts
Remember that though this may sound cliché your health is everything. No job should come before that. So if you are finding yourself over stressed at work, try to incorporate some of these strategies to your work life and hopefully that will make all the difference!