While it is normal to encounter some stress in the workplace, too much of it can inhibit your productivity and affect your performance. If high stress levels are maintained for a long period of time, they can also negatively impact your physical, mental, and emotional health.

According to Laurie Burns LCSW-R CGP — a therapist in Rochester, NY — learning to identify areas you can and cannot control in your work will allow you to say goodbye to a lot of stress. If you are having difficulties pinpointing these specifics, anxiety counseling is a good way to start developing the tools to do so. Other stress-reducing tips this therapist recommends are:

• Taking A Moment: After any particularly stressful work event, take a few minutes to yourself. During this time, take several long, slow breaths (inhale through the nose for five seconds, hold for five seconds, and exhale for five seconds) to clear your mind and restore balance.
• Scheduling Breaks: While non-stop working throughout your day might seem more productive, it often results in the opposite. You burn out your mental energy quicker and become more stressed as the day goes on. To avoid this, plan for multiple breaks throughout the day where you step away from what you are doing for a few minutes to take a walk, stretch, or practice meditation. Do this following every 90-minute work period and you will feel rejuvenated by the end of the day instead of burned out.
• Eating Healthy: A stressful day causes the cortisol levels in the body to rise, and when this happens, you crave food — usually heavy carbs. When you eat too many of these “comfort” foods, it may affect your temperament and ability to deal with daily stressors. Instead of immediately turning to these foods throughout your day, plan ahead and prepare healthy alternatives that will help you deal with stress in a more positive way.

If you’d like to learn more healthy ways of combating the stress in your life, contact Laurie Burns LCSW-R CGP about anxiety counseling today. Schedule an appointment with the therapist by calling (585) 734-6826. Visit her online to learn more about the relationship and family counseling services she provides to those in the Rochester area.