Work stress is one of the most common reasons that many of us are totally burned out every day. Have you been wondering how to handle stress at work? Has work burnout made your self-esteem plummet? Is it hard to see how life will ever get better this way? 

 

Work Stress Management

 

We can only control what we can control, right? When it comes to work stress, self-esteem, and mental health, what are our options?

 

Here are some ideas to “fix” work stress problems we are having:

 

• Leave and find a new job (but would that be more stressful or less?)
• Ask our employer to adjust our responsibilities or position.
• Adjust how we work.

 

Let’s look at each one. If you have been in your job for many years and know the ins and outs and have reached your full potential – maybe finding alternate employment is the answer to maintain your mental health. It will be hard to change, change is uncomfortable. 

 

But, what you may find, is that the freedom in getting to finally decide what you want to do next and getting a change of “work” scenery could totally change your life. A new place to go (nearly) every day, a new route to drive or walk, new spots for lunch, a new team, and new challenges could be what you need. 

 

If that sounds exhausting, other options are asking to adjust your work, though this leaves the results in someone else’s hands. It may work perfectly, or you may find that what you were doing before that change was actually better. Finally, if you know you need to be where you are for work and won’t be changing jobs or positions, how can you make small changes to make your day much better?

 

Here’s a fun story… 

 

How to Raise Your Self-Esteem to Lower Your Stress

 

A colleague of mine was working in an office where they were more than dissatisfied. They had picked up more and more tasks over the years, but hadn’t gotten an increase in pay. Further, there was a “copy machine troll” who made the basic tasks quite miserable with their constant overlooking and questioning. On top of that, the commute was about an hour each way.

 

Spending all this time with these people and the drive, while not making enough to get by properly, was frustrating and demoralizing. 

 

She knew this was the job she needed to have for a while – the job market was tough and she had spent years trying to crack into this industry. But, she was miserable and sad. 

 

She started taking walks around the office every day. This was enough to get her in a sunnier mood alone, but there was a big surprise waiting for her one day that made it even better. 

 

My colleague, on one of her walks, found a “secret” set of swings. Not connected to a kids playground and no baby swings. No. These were made for adults, deep in a nature preserve she found. They were two adult swings, tucked away, that seemed to be just for her. 

 

Every day, she would walk to the swings at lunch and swing like a little girl. It brought her great joy and helped make the days go much better having a few moments to connect with her inner child. 

 

She eventually left the job, but still keeps in contact with her boss there and everyone is on good terms. Could it have been the swings that made everything change – I think so!

 

 

Coping with Stress at Work and Burnout

 

The moral of the story? Taking some small steps every day to make your world a tiny bit better (like my colleagues’ walks) could result in a happy, joyful surprise that changes everything (just like the swings)! What could be out there for you? 

 

This week… can I challenge you to something? Get out of the loop. Whatever your loop is. Drive a different way. Add in something you don’t normally do. And take the small, baby steps to creating a new reality for yourself.  

 

It could be a new water bottle that you can put infused fruits in, taking an art class, going for a walk, or bringing in new meals for lunch. Maybe you ask if you can work from home one day a week or perhaps it’s time for a quick getaway. 

 

Try to do whatever you can do to “shake up your routine” and see if you can find a glimmer of hope in your regular day.

 

Hint: therapy does help. 

 

 

Inner Light Counseling | Rachel Moore LPC

 

Rachel Moore is a counselor for anxiety licensed to practice in Colorado.

 

Finding your inner light can be life changing and through gentle therapy and Brainspotting, Rachel is able to help you find yourself again and stand up with confidence in your daily life. Rachel helps with low self-esteem, reducing anxious feelings, coping with depression, loss, relationship troubles, and all the things that make life, honestly, really hard sometimes. 

 

You’ve been working so hard. We want to take some stress away and give you time just for you, your thoughts, and feelings to heal in a safe place. Welcome.

 

If you’ve been needing someone in your corner and some relief, click here to schedule a free consultation.