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Effective and Easy tip to help a coworker deal with stress

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Although it may just be 6 letters with a simple meaning, Stress can turn a person’s world upside down. In one way or the other, a person deals with some kind of stress in their personal and professional lives. Today, this has become one of the leading causes to various types of illness and problems. If it is not enough that we are dealing with our own personal issues; we also have to deal with people and their stress related tantrums or outbursts.  It is not easy working with a stressed out co-worker and it makes it difficult to help a coworker deal with stress.

Studies on workplace related stress

help-a-coworker-deal-with-stressExperts are constantly studying the implications of workplace related stress on people. In the past few years, the one thing that has been pointed out is the growing concerns of job related stress. In fact, the situation has become so bad that now even companies are working on different ways to reduce the stress that employees have at their work environment.

With the growing numbers of people dying from heart attacks due to stress, researchers are determined to find some solution to tackle the situation. As per the findings the main causes of stress at the work place can be broken down in the following manner

  • Close to 20% of people are stressed out because they have to juggle between their personal and professional lives.
  • Around 6% of people develop chronic stress issues due to the lack of job security
  • 28% people issues are also the reason why stress is affecting people
  • 46% people develop stress due to the workload and growing competition

3 important tips to keep in mind while dealing with a coworker who is stressed out

While working in a professional environment, we have to deal with people in different ways. If you want to help a coworker deal with stress; it is important that you have to first protect yourself.  If you have a co-worker that makes you feel unmotivated, stressed or drained out constantly, then the chances are that you have a toxic co-worker by your side.

It is not easy to work with a stressed out co-worker. Not only does it become challenging to get things across; however, it can also take a toll on you personally. While dealing with a colleague who has stress issues, here are a few things that you should keep in mind.

Learn the art of overlooking certain things

help-a-coworker-deal-with-stressLet us face it, in order to help a coworker deal with stress; you have to first learn how to overlook certain things. Given the fact that they are constantly stressed out, it is important that you should not let it affect you.

You are not the only one

Always remember that you are not the only person who is dealing with the stressed out co-worker. Everybody is in their own way dealing with the person and his/her stress related tantrums. This is why, you should not blame yourself in any way.

Detach yourself emotionally

help-a-coworker-deal-with-stressBy detaching yourself emotionally, you are actually helping yourself. This is one of the essential  tips to help you deal with a stressed out coworker that you should always keep in mind. When you start letting your emotions take control of you, you personally are falling into the Stress trap.

Understanding how you can help a coworker deal with stress

Given the fact that the two of you are working in the same environment, if you do want to help the person out; it is your call. While helping a coworker who is stressed out here are a few things that you should remember.

Leave the ‘I’ talk

help-a-coworker-deal-with-stressSome people can go on with the I Talk for hours. This type of your conversation does not do any kind of good in such situations. Since you have the intention to help a coworker deal with stress; you have to remember that the I talk will not help. Already the person is dealing with many things; the I talk will only add on to it. Some examples of the ‘I’ Talk can be

  • If you think that your life is rough, well mine is not easy as well.
  • Even I have been having problems at home, but that does not mean that I bring it to work.
  • You are not the only one with problems; even I am going through a tough time.

Forget the famous quotes and moralizing

The next thing that you should remember while dealing with a colleague who has stress issues is to avoid moralizing. There is a fine line between helping someone and annoying them.  Sometimes when a person is stressed out, even the smallest thing can irritate them. If you genuinely want to help a coworker deal with stress avoid phrases like

  • You would have completed the task if you had an action plan in place.
  • Time management is important so do not give me that excuse.
  • What is wrong with you, why are you reacting like a baby?

Let the person vent out

Let the person vent outSometimes all we need is someone to hear us out. As humans, we tend to bottle up things due to which many things are not stated out in the open. One of the tips to help you deal with a stressed out coworker is to be the ear for them. When you let the person vent out what he or she is feeling, you are actually giving them a way to express their bottled up emotions.

It’s up to you how you want to help a coworker deal with stress.

It is not easy helping a coworker who is stressed out. When you want to help a coworker deal with stress, you have to understand that it will not be easy dealing with a colleague who has stress issues. Staying calm, finding a way to work around things and giving them a shoulder to cry on are the only ways wherein you can be there for the person.  Since you want to help them out, you have to make sure that you use the right approach in every way.

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