The world of work today is getting tougher on people’s mental and emotional well-being, and stress management has never been more critical. Anxiety and burnout are becoming everyday experiences. This blog will help modern professionals manage stress better.
Are professionals really that stressed out?
A recent report by Statistics Canada from June 2023 found that 21.2% of all workers—meaning 1 in 5 people—are dealing much stress from their jobs. Another study by Robert Half in the same month showed that 36% of professionals feel more burned out now than just a year ago. More than 40% of 0,243 full-time desk-based workers are burned out, based on the Future Forum study. It is even more common among high achievers and those who love their work. So, yes, many professionals today are feeling very stressed out.
My journey with stress management
Looking back on my journey, I only realized how burned out I was when I quit my corporate job to run my business full-time. I spent more than ten years in that world, constantly pushing myself to the limit. The consequences were severe: I had constant anxiety, frequent panic attacks that sent me to the emergency room, three-day-long migraines every month, and weekends that I had to spend in bed to recover. I was always getting sick, and my immune system was fragile.
However, with time, determination, and the right strategies, I managed to turn things around. I’m happy to say that I no longer experience those long-lasting migraines or panic attacks, and my overall health has dramatically improved.
How to manage stress
After the global pandemic, it’s no surprise that many Canadians are dealing with chronic stress and burnout, along with anxiety and other mental health issues.
You’re not alone if you often feel overwhelmed and stuck in a constant cycle of busyness. Many professionals today are caught in a persistent state of “doing” without feeling accomplished. You are living in a general state of anxiety.
The good news is that you don’t have to quit your corporate role to combat chronic stress and burnout. So, how can we reclaim our peace in this chaos?
Here are six practical stress management tips designed for modern professionals:
- Digital Detox for Quality Sleep: Keep tech devices out of your bedroom. Starting your day without immediately checking notifications can make you feel more refreshed. Pick up your phone intentionally when you’re ready.
- Harness ‘Focus Mode’: Reduce distractions by activating focus settings on your devices or setting specific time blocks for uninterrupted work. Imagine the productivity boost when your attention is focused.
- Discover ‘You-Time’: Take breaks to rejuvenate. Rediscover hobbies, relax, and recharge. Even a few minutes can make a big difference. Prioritize doing things that are important to you.
- Stay Grounded: Practices like nature walks or Yoga Nidra can provide fresh perspectives. Ground yourself to shift from reactive stress responses to proactive tranquillity. Focus on your feet on the floor and take a few breaths.
- Prioritize Effectively: Use the ‘Rule of 3’ to alleviate overwhelming feelings. Choose the three most important tasks for the day and focus your time and energy on completing them. It helps counterbalance urgent tasks that often consume your time.
- Cultivate Self-Empathy: Embrace imperfections and unpredictability. Extend the same compassion to yourself that you would to others. It’s a practice, not about perfection. Recognize that it won’t be perfect, and that’s okay. Please keep coming back to it because it’s essential.
Incorporating these stress management strategies into your daily routine can redefine your professional life and overall well-being.
Are you ready to make stress management a priority but need a kick-start?
Your ambitions don’t have to come at the cost of your well-being. Join “Balance Over Burnout,” a free 2-week program to help you overcome stress and realign your life. Over two weeks, you’ll receive emails with resources and coaching exercises focusing on well-being, chakras, energy, reflective questions, and practices such as yoga nidra and meditation. Sign up here.
Sources:
- Statistics Canada (Released: 2023-06-19): Work-related stress most often caused by heavy workloads and work-life balance
- Canadians more burned out now than this time last year (sourcing the Robert Half Study)
- Morgan Smith, Burnout is on the rise worldwide—and Gen Z, young millennials and women are the most stressed, CNBC, March 14, 2023
