When the Going Gets Tough

Stress is an inevitable part of life—especially when it comes to work. You may not be able to control stressful situations (especially if they’re caused by factors beyond your control) but you can control your reaction to them. Here, some anti-wrinkle stress management strategies that you can employ in and out of the office.

Take a step back. When the worst has happened, let your anger diffuse and walk away from the situation. Sure, it’s imperative that you have a plan B up your sleeve, but you need space and time to be able to think clearly. Give yourself time to simmer down, then see how else you can salvage the situation.

Keep your cool. A lot of people tend to get snappish when they’re stressed. Well, guess what—this kind of people will only ruin the productivity of a team. People get demoralized once they encounter Mr. or Miss Angry, and we bet that they would lose plenty of popularity points once their temper gets the best of them.

If you ever find yourself saying hurtful words or talking to co-workers in a brusque, rude tone, amend your mistake and apologize. Remember, there’s always a right way to tell people off or criticize them. Be respectful and phrase your words in such a way that the recipient will view it as constructive criticism. Not only will that kind of demeanor earn the respect of others, but the gods of karma will also take note. Trust us: what goes around does come around.

Detach! So your work is probably stressful to the max—but does that mean that you have to carry that stress with you all the time? Of course not. As soon as you step out of the office or have clocked out of work, free your mind of work-related concerns and thoughts. Observe the people who seem to have it together all the time, even during the direst and most stressful of moments. They’re able to manage their anger and stress because they know that they have a life outside of work. So should you—so make an effort to cultivate your personal life and ties. Keep in mind that your work is only one aspect of you, and doesn’t define you as a person altogether.

Take up yoga or do some meditation. Stress can be addicting—you’re so used to adrenalin-filled days that it comes as a shock when you find yourself in a non-stressful situation. Be conscious of that and do partake in activities that bring back the Zen in your life, such as yoga. In fact, you can use some yoga breathing techniques to help you get through the day. So breathe, relax, and let go!