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As the holiday season approaches, stress and anxiety tend to slowly creep up on us. While small amounts of stress can give us the burst of energy and the motivation needed to meet deadlines and finish projects, too much stress can leave us feeling burnt out or even cause psychological damage that can last long after the holiday decorations have been taken down.

As we begin planning holiday parties and managing shopping lists on top of our daily work demands, here are some tips to help you get through the workday:

1. Identify your triggers. Keep a running log of situations or encounters that left you feeling stressed or overwhelmed. By pinpointing what is causing your stress, you’ll be better prepared to deal with the situation when you’re next faced with it.
2. Make a priority list. By setting realistic goals and tasks to complete for the day, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment at the close of the workday.
3. Block off time. Try dedicating chunks of your workday to a specific project or task. This can be especially helpful when working on larger projects. When you’re able to work without interruptions, you’ll be more productive and it will relieve unnecessary anxiety.
4. Take short breaks during the day. Give yourself a short five or 10 minute break to regroup and refocus when you begin to feel overwhelmed. A small break can make huge difference.
5. Ask for help. If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed with a project or looming deadline, reaching out to a coworker or supervisor for help may be the key. Even just talking through the situation can be helpful.

Stress can be a fundamental, underlying cause of illness. Part of keeping a healthy workplace is to identify and minimize stress for employees. Simple steps, such as the five outlined above, can go a long way in maintaining a stress-free holiday season and happy and healthy employees.

Photo courtesy of Google Images.