In today’s world, workers feel like they have to log on early, stay at the office late, and take on more and more to be noticed to work their way up the corporate ladder.
But at some point, your hands will be full, your plate overloaded, and there won’t be enough time in the day to get it all done. While being successful comes with perks, it can also come with some challenges like added stress and anxiety.
Success can feel like an added weight you must keep lifting to prove yourself to others, including yourself. Is success weighing you down? This is how to handle stress from success.
Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself
First things first, it’s important to give yourself a little grace. Being successful is great, but it doesn’t mean that you should be stressed all the time. Success shouldn’t mean sacrificing your own mental wellbeing. You’re not expected to do it all or get everything done. You can have success and a work-life balance. Being hard on yourself can add to the stress you’re already experiencing. Try to change that negative mindset and focus on all of the things you’re doing well or have accomplished instead.
Set Boundaries
While work is important so are other things in your life like your mental health and wellness, personal life, and relationships outside of the workplace. You need to set work-life boundaries to help reduce your levels of stress. Your boundaries may be specific to you and your own wants and needs, but try setting a few and enforcing them so that they stick. You can start by trying to limit taking on work outside of normal working hours or not saying “yes” especially when you want to say “no”. Make a list of what you’d like to see change, and make sure you communicate that to your boss and team so they can all respect you inside and outside of work.
Take Care of Yourself
Taking care of yourself is always important, but it can be even more important during times of stress. Making healthy choices when it comes to your meals, sleep schedule, and body movements can help you feel better from the inside out. During times of stress, you may notice that you crave fast food or sugar. While these may make you feel better in the short term, eating these types of foods can actually lead to worsening signs and symptoms. Instead, try to eat foods that are more nutritionally balanced.
When it comes to your sleep schedule, you should be aiming for at least eight hours of sleep each and every night. Doing these things can help make sure that your body and brain are performing to the best of their ability so that you can do the same.
Know When to Take Breaks
Breaks are essential and necessary. No one is expected to work 365 days a year. Everyone has a set number of days off for holidays, sick days, and personal time. It’s important to know when to take breaks to avoid burnout. These breaks can help you reset and have a fresh mindset before going back to work.
Don’t be afraid to use your personal days so that you’re able to disconnect from work and focus on the other priorities in your life. Work will be right where you left it when you return again. Plus, you’ll feel refreshed and refocused when you return.
Next Steps
Work is extremely important. It’s your livelihood and what helps you provide for yourself, your lifestyle, and your loved ones. But work isn’t all that you have to offer. You are a multifaceted individual who has more to offer besides the role in your job. While stress is common, it shouldn’t consume you each and every day.
If you’re noticing that stress is taking over your life, it’s important to try to cope with it. If you’re still struggling to manage any signs or symptoms of stress after implementing some lifestyle changes, it may be time to seek additional support from an outside perspective. Reach out today to set up an initial consultation.
