It is no secret that work can be stressful for many people. The high demands of clients and deadlines, the pressure of hitting numbers or managing a team, and many more can affect daily life inside and outside of the workplace. Stress is a huge trigger for many people dealing with substance abuse, so keeping stress and anxiety low at work is essential. If you are looking for ways to reduce workplace stress and anxiety to keep your substance abuse at bay, keep reading for our best tips.
Identify Your Stressors
One way to reduce workplace stress and anxiety to keep your substance abuse at bay is to make a list of all your key stressors. Spend a few days compiling a list of all the things that stress you out while you are at work. Identifying your stressors and having a visual list of them is the first step on the path of learning how to deal with them and overcome them. You’ll be able to anticipate a stressful day at work and be able to address it accordingly.
Some of the most common workplace stressors include:
- Heavy workload
- Unrealistic demands
- Doing someone else’s work
- Lack of recognition
- Micromanagement
- Long hours
- Difficult commute
Make sure you include every stressor on your list, no matter how small. Some examples can be:
- Long email chains
- The sound of the nearby water fountain
- Cliques
- Chatty coworkers
- Too many meetings
Curate a Healthy Work Space
After you have identified your stressors, make sure you spend some time creating a healthy work space. This is much more than just surrounding yourself with family photos or calming music. Curating a healthy work space includes:
- Turn unnecessary notifications off your phone. Many jobs require a smartphone to function, so turning off all notifications can be unrealistic for many. However, turning off unnecessary notifications such as social media or news notifications can help keep distractions to a minimum so that you can focus on getting work done.
- Don’t eat at your desk. This can be difficult for many, but it is essential to spend time away from your desk. Your healthy workspace should, ideally, just be for working.
- Keep it clean. Go through your entire workspace and clean out every drawer. Get it organized and keep it that way. The less clutter you have in your workspace, the more you will focus on your tasks at hand.
- Consider a standing desk. Standing desks help productivity, posture and (obviously) get you out of your chair.
Take Time to Recharge
No matter how long your work hours are, it is important to take time to recharge. Whether that means an hour-long workout every morning, or just a 10-minute walk around your office complex, it is important to recharge and get your mind off work. Staying active brings down stress levels and is a critical aid in substance abuse treatment.
Reevaluate Your Work Situation
If your job or workplace is proving to be too stressful for you, no matter how hard you try to reduce your stress and anxiety, it might be time to reevaluate your work situation. Are you genuinely passionate about your work? Do you enjoy the company you work for? Do you love your job, just not the workplace? Or do you not enjoy any aspect of it? These are important questions to consider, as it might be time to look for other opportunities that would make you happier.
If Workplace Stress and Anxiety Are Left Untreated
Workplace stress and anxiety are common; however, for the millions of people who suffer from substance abuse, it can be the very thing that leads to a deadly relapse. If workplace stress and anxiety are becoming too much to bear and reevaluating your work situation isn’t realistic right now, it is crucial that you seek help as soon as possible before it leads to potentially fatal consequences.
Dual diagnosis is the treatment for co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety. Treatment will help you overcome your substance abuse issues and help you learn how to manage your workplace stress and anxiety.
About The Pointe Malibu Recovery Center
If you’re ready to end the cycle of drugs, alcohol, or addiction that is threatening your career, family, and well-being, we’re here to help. We understand that these problems can be more complex for executives and professionals, which is why The Pointe Malibu Recovery Center was established specifically for you.
The Pointe Malibu Recovery Center offers:
- Medically Assisted Detox – The Pointe Malibu Recovery Center is IMS-certified for this service, ensuring the individual finest in licensed medical supervision.
- Personalized Treatment – You will receive at least 5 to 8 individual sessions per week, each uniquely customized for you.
- Pillars of Support – Benefit from 4 different support mechanisms that sustain you long after your discharge.
- Confidentiality – We protect client privacy, period. As a matter of both ethical practice and HIPAA regulations, your personal life is safe with us. Our management team and entire staff are trained and committed to absolute confidentiality.
- The ability to maintain your work-life – We understand that it can be impossible for many professionals and executives to step away for an extended period of time.
If you’re ready to start your journey to long-lasting recovery, we are here for you.
