10 Things You Can Do to Deal With Career Stress

Guest Post by Felix Prasetyo

As a solopreneur, I've had to learn how to deal with career stress because nobody was there to help me. Working on my own has its benefits--behind the scenes while everyone else is still at work, charging only for the time I spend on an assignment or project, making my own hours and schedule work for me. But it takes learning on how to be self-motivated and control my own focus level. If I get distracted, procrastinate all day long, stop taking breaks during the day, then suddenly realize that it's 10 pm, and I haven't done any meaningful work in two days...I'm screwed!

But if you're like most young professionals out there who are managing their careers themselves for the first time, then you might find yourself dealing with some stress that doesn't come from your new career. Maybe it's because of school, especially if you're juggling one or two degrees while trying to work, or maybe even it's moving to a new city for the first time on your own, or maybe it's family problems...either way, here 10 things you can do to cope with it all.

1. Take up yoga. 

I know what you're thinking: "Yoga? Ha ha ha! More like Yogurt!" Well guess what--yogurt won't help reduce your blood pressure or deal with anxiety attacks before an important pitch meeting. Yoga is great for learning how to breathe properly and really control every part of your body, which helps keep your mind centered too!

Experts believe that incorporating yoga into a daily routine has many benefits in our lives, emotionally as well as physically. As more research is conducted regarding the positive effects of yoga on our health, it becomes more apparent that this practice truly does have some amazing benefits even for those who consider themselves "healthy".

2. Try seeing a doctor for medication. 

I'm not joking--you could have some sort of anxiety disorder that is making it hard to be comfortable in your new career, and if you're feeling overwhelmed then that's not normal or healthy. A doctor can prescribe something that will help control that, so don't ignore the signs!

3. Practice meditation at least once a day (in addition to yoga). 

It helps clear your mind and gives you perspective on any problems you might have. It also helps make it easier to focus on what you need to do during the day--if you've had time to sit down, center yourself, and think about everything, then it'll be easier for you to tackle each item one at a time.

A study conducted by Harvard neuroscientists showed that meditation actually changes grey matter concentration in the brain regions responsible for memory, learning ability, and compassion. Meditation helps control your emotions also because it reduces activity within our amygdala - a region associated with fear and anxiety response. 

4. Find friends at work--or approach coworkers who seem friendly so you can get to know them better outside of the office. 

It'll be nice to have some people that you can talk to about any problems or frustrations, particularly when it's someone that understands what you're going through in your career right now! Sometimes having just one person with whom you can approach personal issues is enough to cut out stress in half for the day.

5. Save up some money when times are good so you have some extra leeway if things don't turn out as planned during a rough patch of job.

Sure, I live with my family...but not everyone has that luxury! If your parents will let you stay with them rent-free while you find a job, then that's great. If not, then make sure to keep some money tucked away for the day when you come home and say "I don't know what to do anymore!"

6. Find ways to relax outside of work (even if it means taking time off). 

As much as this is about dealing with stress at work, it's also about learning how to take care of yourself...so make sure you're doing things that are enjoyable too! You can use up all your vacation days or personal days on relaxing--that way there'll be no guilt involved the next time you have an assignment due which is eating up your last few hours of free time!

7. Find ways to escape work at work (and don't feel bad about it). 

Your job might be stressful, but that doesn't mean you can't take a few minutes out of your day to check your personal email or text the people who are closest to you! If anything, it'll make you feel better for the rest of the day so you can tackle each problem with more ease.

8. Take advantage of company programs designed to help employees relax and refocus themselves.

There's no shame in asking HR if they have any services available for their staff. You might need to go through some training or counseling sessions before anything is approved, but there's nothing wrong with taking part in something that could improve your mental health during these tough times.

9. Reach out to your S.O., family, or friends for support.

Sometimes it's easier to talk about tough problems with people who won't be directly impacted by the outcome (or at least not until they find out how things turn out!). They can give you a different perspective on what you're going through, and help remind you of the good parts of the situation too!

10. Make sure you have some activities planned during downtime. 

When work does start to weigh on your mind, it'll be nice to have something else waiting for you! A new book series? An upcoming movie marathon? Exciting plans with your best friend from back home? Whatever it is, just sure there's something there which will make you happy--because there's no point in dealing with stress if it doesn't make you feel better!

Hobbies are great for keeping your mind busy during times of stress, especially if the hobby is something that keeps you active. If entering a 5K race to support cancer research or hula hooping for fun will help take away your worries, then go out and do it! Be sure to check what types of activities are offered through work too--if they'll reimburse you for them, then even better!

Final thoughts

You are so worth it. When you're feeling stressed, it's important to take time for yourself and find ways to relieve the tension. Because at the end of the day, we all face challenges in our lives. Stress, because of that, is inevitable. But by implementing these 10 tips you can reduce the amount of time it takes for your brain and body to recover. Implementing even one tip will make a difference in how you feel. Let us know if any of these ideas resonate with you or share some that work well for you!

Author bio (Gravatar email: felix@lifengoal.com):

Felix Prasetyo is the founder and writer at Lifengoal.com, where he talks about anything related to personal growth. Download his free ebook “The 8 Relationship Advice I Wish I’d Known 10 Years Ago”, featuring the likes of Simon Sinek, Jay Shetty, Matthew Hussey, and more!