How to Manage Stress at Work [Infographic]

Work is less stressful when you know exactly what is expected of you. Make a to-do list of your most important tasks for the day and the week, ranking them from most time-sensitive to the least. Or, try prioritizing tasks you can knock out easily, helping clear your plate and creating mental space for projects that will require more time and energy.

Regular face time with your manager not only helps keep you on track for meeting your goals, but also give you an opportunity to voice your concerns or brainstorm ways to manage your workload. Ask your manager for regular check-ins, such as weekly or every other week as needed. Be sure to prepare a list of topics for each meeting to use the time more effectively.

If you’re able to do so, analyze your duties to determine which ones are bogging you down and which ones make sense for your role. If you are a manager, delegate tasks that don’t require your approval or oversight to other team members. If you are responsible for what’s on your plate, consider asking a colleague for help so you can divide and conquer.

Unless you’re specifically on-call, avoid answering messages or emails outside of regular business hours. It can be all too easy for the lines between work and personal time to blur, particularly when you’re working remotely, but setting boundaries is an important part of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and taking care of your mental health.

Hectic mornings set the stage for a more stressful day. Try showering and choosing your outfit the night before. Have easy breakfast options on hand and leave early so you’re not scrambling to beat traffic during your commute. Having a smooth morning routine usually means having a regular nighttime schedule as well. Try to go to bed around the same time each night to ensure you get a good night’s sleep and are ready to power through your day.

Even slight physical discomfort can raise your stress levels. Make sure your setup is as ergonomic as possible by adding an extra chair cushion to boost comfort or using a wrist cushion for your keyboard. Make your desk a more relaxing place to be by playing soothing music while you work, adding a plant or installing a glare-reducing monitor screen.

Stress and anxiety can lower your productivity, so be kind to yourself and take breaks when you feel yourself hitting a wall. Try to resist perfectionism. Everyone learns at their own pace and in their own way. Remember, it’s ok to ask for help when you need it.