How to Reduce Work-Related Stress

Do you suffer from work-related stress? Well, you aren't alone. Work is one of the most common causes of stress, with millions of men and women saying they feel stressed because of their job. 

But stress affects more than your mindset; it can also affect you physically. According to the American Institute of Stress (AIS), more than three-quarters of Americans experience physical symptoms caused by stress on a regular basis. Whether it's headaches, muscle soreness, insomnia or digestive distress, stress can take a toll on your body in many ways. The good news is that you don't have to quit your job to keep stress levels in check. There are ways to minimize work-related stress so that it doesn't impact your health or life.

Take a Vacation

Statistics show that only 35% of Americans take a family vacation in any given year. Unfortunately, this means the majority of Americans work day in and day out without giving themselves time to relax. If this sound familiar, consider planning a vacation. Even if it's only for a few days, a vacation will lower your stress levels, allowing you to return back to work feeling rested and rejuvenated.

Get Sleep

Sleep and stress go hand in hand. If you don't get enough sleep, or get high-quality sleep, the night before you work, you'll experience higher levels of stress. Regardless of your occupation, you should strive for a minimum of eight hours of high-quality sleep per night. So, try to get into a routine in which you fall asleep at the same time every day. Once you get into this routine, you'll find that it's easier to fall asleep and stay asleep, resulting in lower stress levels.

Inquire About a Raise

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), low salary is one of the most influential factors of work-related stress. If you aren't getting paid appropriately for the work you do, you'll probably feel stressed. Therefore, it's recommended that you talk to your employer or manager about a pay raise. Even a small raise will help solidify your importance in the company, which can lower your stress levels while allowing you to earn more money in the process.

Create a To-Do List

Finally, consider making a to-do list of all tasks you need to perform at work the night prior. It only takes a few minutes to create a to-do list, but this will keep you on track and boost your productivity levels. And when you are more productive at work, you'll experience lower stress levels.