Stress is an emotional and physical reaction to circumstances that you feel are out of control.
Signs that indicate that you are stressed
Stress can damage your health and affect your performance, so what can you do to protect yourself?
Lower your expectations - what that means is that you need to be more realistic about what you can do and what others can do given the time constrains and limited resources. If that involves editing the report only twice before sending it out or buying pecan pie at the grocery store for Thanksgiving instead of baking it from scratch, so be it.
Reassess & prioritize - make a list of all the tasks that you think need attention. Evaluate them and rewrite them in order of importance. Do the top five. Tell yourself "If I have time, I'll do the rest, if not they can wait or I'll find alternative ways to get it done."
Delegate - ask others to do the tasks you cannot get to. The jobs may not get done as perfectly as when you do them, but they'll get done. Maybe you can delegate your sister-in-law to make that pecan pie for Thanksgiving.
Set Limits - know when to draw the line. If the boss wants you to write one more report or prepare yet another presentation by the end of the week, learn to say "I'm working on three separate projects right now, I won't be able to write the report/prepare the presentation until the end of next week". If the PTA wants you to chair the fundraising committee but you are swamped with other obligations, learn to say "NO". "I am flattered by your confidence in my ability. I can't take on the responsibility of chairing the committee at this time, but I will help in any way I can."
Take care of yourself - drink plenty of water, eat nutritious food and exercise regularly. Hunger and dehydration can provoke aggressiveness and increase feelings of anxiety and stress. Exercise releases endorphins that help relieve stress.
Manage your time - set aside half an hour during the day to take care of tasks you have been putting off e.g. writing an e-mail, returning a phone call. Crossing just one or two items off your list can be energizing and can improve your attitude.
Call your EAP at 1-888-600-4EAP for more information, help and support. Counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide confidential assistance at no cost to you.