S.T.R.E.S.S.E.D.
I like to think of myself as a pretty peaceful and calm person, and I am--at home. At work I'm constantly irritated and (internally) crabby. How do I combat being so irritable? Earlier I made a semi-vow to be less crabby, and if you've read yesterday's post you know how well that has worked out for me! I start out the day as my cheerful, regular self and it's not long before I'm crabby and complaining (to myself) about this that or the other thing.
I also got yelled at by the boss, chided by my Favorite Co-Worker, who's also sort of my boss over something she had told me to do for a client, and run ragged by clients--all in a typical day. Can you spell "stressed out"?
Now that I have an office of my own I can occasionally shut the door, but only for a little bit about once a week, they do not like shut doors much here. And I can play soothing music, which is nice, too, and helps. I really need more of a plan to cope with all of this.
Last night I thought it over, like I have so many times before, and vowed to try to remain as calm and cool about it all on the inside as I am on the outside. But I've done that before, and once a typical day begins, it's the same problems and stresses over and over again. I've joked with co-workers about bringing a flask to work! I think that would be frowned upon and a dangerous habit, to medicate those murderous feelings.
Every time I've asked for advice and suggestions you fellow bloggers have come up with wonderful ideas. Any suggestions on how to keep my cool at work?
I also got yelled at by the boss, chided by my Favorite Co-Worker, who's also sort of my boss over something she had told me to do for a client, and run ragged by clients--all in a typical day. Can you spell "stressed out"?
Now that I have an office of my own I can occasionally shut the door, but only for a little bit about once a week, they do not like shut doors much here. And I can play soothing music, which is nice, too, and helps. I really need more of a plan to cope with all of this.
Last night I thought it over, like I have so many times before, and vowed to try to remain as calm and cool about it all on the inside as I am on the outside. But I've done that before, and once a typical day begins, it's the same problems and stresses over and over again. I've joked with co-workers about bringing a flask to work! I think that would be frowned upon and a dangerous habit, to medicate those murderous feelings.
Every time I've asked for advice and suggestions you fellow bloggers have come up with wonderful ideas. Any suggestions on how to keep my cool at work?
15 Comments:
Ooo...that's a tough one. I went from a stressful position to one that's MUCH less stressful. But honestly, what really helped me was pissing and moaning out loud about what ticked me off at work...and my listener was usually The PK...or you sweet Peanuttians out there who bothered to read my blog!!!
Writing about it was THE BEST thing for me...and while I know everyone is different, it may help you to keep writing about it here.
That and a good stiff shot of whiskey when you get home from work...yeah, that should do the trick!
;)
Have a great St. Patricks Day! :)
Would BZ be up to a calm discussion of some of your concerns, or is that beyond her? At some point when things are going well; you don't want to try it during a bad period.
If you're being driven batty and you can't take quiet time at your desk, take a few minutes in the bathroom or a short walk outside (if you can).
Or you can try shooing people that are socializing out of your office and shutting the door when you're on a tight deadline. If BZ complains about your door being shut explain you only shut it when you're getting constant interruptions and you're trying to get work done.
Deep breathing always seems to help me.
Well....stressed backwards is desserts, so maybe you need a big honkin' slab of something chocolatey in nature.
Realistically that will only get you through a day or so. For a longer term solution I suggest you get a big ole guard dog for your office. It can sit in the door and keep people from barging in.
The team I waorked in had trouble with that, and we finally agreed that each person was the best judge of when he/she was busy. We each got to put a red light on our door or baffle if we felt we needed quiet time to work something out. It was surprisingly effective.
just remember temps are temporary. ha ha. anyways, everyone on the team gets along, for the most parts, granted i don't care for 90% of the people who works there... on those stressful days and/or moments, i usually just walk away for a bit (ie go down stairs)
This is going to sound totally corny and slushy mushy...but I swear it works for me:
I stop and take ten deep breaths. This means I breathe in through my nose and then out my mouth. Ten times.
If that doesn't work, I get up and make myself take a big long slurpy drink of cold, cold water.
If that doesn't work...a peppermint patty. It tastes great, is not THAT loaded with carbs and it makes your breath smell nice...
Marie's suggestion is a proven fact. Breathing deeply in through your nose and very slowly through puckered lips levels your o2 stats and relaxes you. Try it.
You should also make time and take all the breaks you are allowed. Make them "all about me breaks" and find a quite place to relax with a cup of coffee or whatever you would enjoy.
And you should always remember that in the grand scheme of things, "it's all small stuff" and let it slide right off.
I agree with stacy, writing about it probably helps a lot. Breathing is also good. I would also take a minute at the end of the day to focus on the fact that you are leaving your work issues at work, and not take the anger and stress home with you.
Low dosage tranquilizer should do it...I began to feel the need to cry (not typical me) and it was mounting into something terrible. So at a doctors visit I mentioned the stress and emotional strain I was under and he ordered a .5 mg (smallest dosage) to get me through a bad day when I realized it was coming on. Helped me not cry. I only took it as needed and I'd not been much of a pill taker up to that point. Made a difference is all I can say. It's better than losing it and telling people off or crying out of frustration. I held mountains of emotion inside me for years...and it helped me keep it in check.
No suggestions here...sorry. I suffer from the same fate as you so I'm listening to all the advice as well. I wish I could just let things go but I can't.
I like the idea of breathing. It does sound silly, but it's been proven effective. They say it's impossible to focus on breathing and be angry at the same time.
Me? I rant and curse. If I'm not careful, one day I'll get fired for insubordination. I try to avoid supervisors as much as possible.
Psssst....where'd you go?
How to keep your cool at work, hmmmm
You could hit on the temp, that should get rid of her permanently unless she has gay tendancies.
I thionk you shoulds be talking to you boss and eplain to them that you are doing your best to hold all the shit together and if something were to happen and you crack and needed and extende leave they would be stuck with the temp who is lost without you which adds up to theyt're fucked if they end up loosing you.
Or you couls win the lotto and tell them they could kiss your .......
Have a nice day
Hope everything is ok.
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