As recent Statistics Canada data indicates, stress is affecting millions of the country’s working adults. Here is some helpful advice on how to better reduce and manage workplace stress 

We all know we should get a good night’s sleep, eat well, exercise and take some time to do the things you enjoy… but it’s easier said than done. According to recent data, many Canadians are finding it harder than ever to cope with stress in the workplace.

According to Statistics Canada, last year, 3.7 million working adults described their lives on most days as ‘quite a bit’ or ‘extremely’ stressful while another 6.3 million said they were ‘a bit’ stressed. Of those highly-stressed workers, nearly 62 per cent identified work as the main source of their stress. Financial concerns and not having enough time (both 12 per cent), family matters (eight per cent), and personal and other issues (six per cent) were listed as the other main sources of stress.

Leandra Harris, Executive Vice President of HR, Randstad Canada acknowledges that regardless of occupation, seniority, or salary level, it’s important to take the appropriate steps to manage workplace stress. “While some stress is a normal part of the workplace, excessive stress can interfere with your productivity and reduce your physical and emotional health,” she says. “By knowing how to deal with stress at work, employees become more productive, effective and efficient, and overall life anxiety and stress are minimized.”

Here are a few quick tips that will help manage work-related stress:

Organize your space
Do you have a pile of papers and notes on your desk? Do you have trouble finding documents? The time you lose searching, adds up. Organize your area so you can find what you are looking for and so you have the clutter-free space you need to get your work done. 

Take a break
You may be busy but it’s important to take a short break. Take a walk, briefly chat with a colleague about non-work related matters or grab a quick snack. Take some time to disconnect yourself from your work and from the very environment. You’ll return refreshed and ready to tackle your task. 

Plan and prioritize
Sometimes there is so much to do, it can seem overwhelming. At the end of every day, write a list of tasks for the following day. First thing in the morning, review the list and tackle them in order of priority. And remember to leave a small part of your day free for those unexpected projects. 

Communicate
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s from HR, your manager, a coworker, family or friends, it’s important to let people know when you are feeling overwhelmed. They can help you take the necessary steps towards regaining balanced ground. 

Think positively
Remind yourself of your accomplishments as you work to attain your next goal. A positive attitude at work will go a long way towards improving your stress levels.

Harris says it is important to take the time to recognize and address the underlying causes of your stress. “Doing your best to manage work-related stress will not only benefit your emotional and physical health, but also improve your overall productivity.”

Randstad Canada is the Canadian leader for staffing, recruitment and HR Services. Visit randstad.ca.