Skilled Migrant Professionals October 2014 | Page 14

Career

Stress management tools
While a degree of pressure at work is expected, excessive or prolonged pressure leading to undue stress levels can affect an employee’s health and a business’s efficiency. The ability to deal with stress
can mean the difference between triumph and disappointment. No
one can control everything in the workplace but that does not mean
workers are powerless to take control of their situation no matter
how challenging a situation seems. Discovering methods to deal and
cope with work related stress isn’t about making big modifications or
reconsidering career aspirations, but rather it’s about concentrating
on the things that you can control.
Stress can be very subjective. Some people may find that something that’s nerve-wracking to one may not even bother another.
Factors that affect stress tolerance:
• Support network: A robust support system of understanding
friends and family members is a great cushion in a stressful situation.
Conversely, the more remote and inaccessible people are, the greater
their vulnerability to anxiety.

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• Sense of control: Self-confidence and the ability to affect outcomes assist employees with managing stress. Employees who are
susceptible to stress feel like things are out of their control.
• Attitude and outlook: Being positive and assertive are traits that
are prized, employees should be driven and encouraged to take on
challenges. Workers with a good sense of humor and who are receptive to change are known to be less susceptible to stress.
• Capability to deal with your feelings: Everyone has their good
days and their bad days. Being able to relax when a person is anxious
helps them bounce back from hardship.
• Awareness and planning: Understanding how a stressful situation arose, how long it will impact and what the likely outcomes are
makes it easier to prepare for and manage.
When stress at work affects an employee’s capability to perform
well they should look at their home life or anything else that negatively affects their wellbeing. It is then up to the individual to assess