Unhealthy Ways To Cope With Work-Related Stress

When you’re stressed at work, it’s often necessary to find a coping mechanism. Some stress-busting techniques are less healthy than others. A few unhealthy ways of dealing with stress include:

Getting aggressive

Aggression is a natural release of stress, but it needs to be channeled into the right places. Many people let out this aggression in an unhealthy way either by snapping at colleagues, getting road rage while driving or taking it out on family members. This could damage relationships around you and even risk you losing your job if you hurt someone or act very unprofessionally.

Aggression can be released in healthy ways. Exercises such as running, boxing, swimming, cycling and weightlifting are all examples. You can even try things like scream therapy classes.

Comfort eating

Many people that get overweight do so through comfort eating. Eating food can release endorphins that can combat stress. This can become a habit that is hard to break.

Comfort eating isn’t so bad if the foods you’re eating are healthy, however many people tend to choose sugary and high calorie snacks. Try to avoid comfort eating by not packing unhealthy snacks to work or making a conscious effort not to resort to unhealthy foods on your lunch break.

Smoking/drinking/using drugs

Nicotine, alcohol and other substances are a common stress-buster. However, they can all damage our health in the long run. The likes of alcoholism and drug addiction could also have negative social effects such as causing us to abandon responsibilities or act hostile towards others.

Try to break these habits before they become addictions. Smoking can be particularly hard to break – consider exploring healthier options such as vaping by looking at wholesale vape carts. When it comes to drinking heavily or taking drugs at the end of a stressful day, try to limit yourself to healthy amounts or occupy yourself with other activities.

Bottling it up

The worst way to cope with work-related stress is not to relieve it at all. This allows the cortisol and adrenaline to build up. You’ll either end up snapping and having a mental breakdown or you’ll wear down your body and suffer burnout. Bottling up stress could also increase the risk of heart disease, as well as creating short-term problems like insomnia, digestive problems and headaches. All in all, you need to find a way of releasing stress.

How should you relieve work-related stress?

Stress needs to be dealt with in a healthy way. There are lots of healthy ways to deal with stress including:

Meditation: Taking 5 minutes out to clear your mind can do wonders.
Exercise: As already mentioned, this can be the perfect healthy release of aggression. It could include a HIIT workout on your lunch break or a long workout after your shift.
Listening to music: Music can release feelgood endorphins that combat stress.
Laughter: Laughter can also release feelgood endorphins.
Taking a hot bath: A hot bath will relax muscles and lower cortisol levels.
Herbal teas: Such drinks are also great for lowering cortisol levels. A much healthier alternative to caffeinated drinks (which can make stress worse).
Taking a break: When you’re feeling stressed, don’t be afraid to take five minutes out – you could return feeling much more productive. Make sure that you’re also taking holiday. A week away from work could give you perspective and allow you to combat the source of the stress whether it’s taking on less work, fixing relationships with colleagues or getting a new job.