What to Do When You Feel Overwhelmed by Your Workload (Our Top 10 Surefire Stress Busters)

How do you know when you’re getting overwhelmed? You’re breathing and heart rates speed up, your stomach is in knots, and you have trouble thinking clearly. These are all signals that your stress hormones have kicked into high gear.

 

Fortunately, there are things you can do to calm your mind and body down — even while you’re at work, and often in just a few minutes. Here are some of our favorites.

 

  1. Talk to someone.

    Share that you’re snowed under with a co-worker or team coach. Nobody will lose respect for you, and you’ll probably get some much-needed help and sympathy. At the very least, it will be a relief not to keep your feelings bottled up.

 

  1. Write it down.

    If you still don’t feel comfortable talking, jot down your problems and worries in a journal. Just getting them out of your system will help you feel better.

 

  1. Breathe easy.

    Close your eyes, breathe in for the count of 4, then out for the count of 4, and repeat. Block out all other thoughts while you do this; it frees your mind from vicious cycle thinking.

 

  1. Queue up some tunes.

    Put on your headphones and zone out to your favorite music.

 

  1. Take a virtual vacation.

    Whether in your imagination or online, spend a few minutes in a beautiful location that triggers happy thoughts or memories.

 

  1. Nibble on something.

    Chew gum, eat a square of chocolate or sip green tea. You’ll relieve anxiety and lower your cortisol (a stress hormone) levels.

 

  1. Throw cold water on it.

    Splash cold water on your inner wrists and behind your ears. It will cool down the major arteries just under the skin in these spots, helping to soothe the whole body.

 

  1. Get the joke.

    There’s nothing like a good laugh to break the tension. Tell jokes with your co-workers or visit a LOL website.

 

  1. Get to the point.

    Use acupressure to ease tension, fatigue and energy blocks. Press firmly and massage these spots for 5 to 10 seconds:

  • On your hand, in the webbing between thumb and forefinger.
  • On your shoulder, half way between neck and arm.
  • On the base of your skull on either side of the neckbone.

 

  1. Stretch it out.

    Stand up and do a quick, all-over stretch to relax tense muscles. Reach for the sky, do shoulder rolls, touch your toes, do runner stretches for calves and thighs.

 

These 10 tricks help provide immediate relief from a stressful work situation. If it’s a situation that happens often, though, consider looking for long-term solutions. Are there ways you can take control, improve efficiency, or ask your supervisor for solutions? You owe it to yourself and your career to be able to exceed your own expectations while on the job.

Welcome to the right place to find your next big job opportunity.

Let’s work together.

Key Strategies to Flex on Your Next Job Interview

August 30, 2023
Prepping for an interview can be overwhelming—especially if you’re new or out of practice. If you’re getting ready for that next opportunity or looking for a side hustle and need to brush up on your skills, we’ve got you covered! In Key Strategies to Flex on Your Next Job Interview, ISS’s very own Co-founder and CEO, Todd Bavol, shares his 30 years of experience on how to nail the interview process and get hired. at ISS

Market Roles Smarter Not Harder

August 10, 2023
Across the board, hiring is tough right now. The Great Resignation has heated up competition for top talent, and HR and talent acquisition leaders are devoting just as much energy to trying to keep workers from walking out the door as they are to bringing new employees in. And, it’s about to get even harder. at ISS

The Role You’re Looking for Is Closer Than You Think

August 8, 2023
You’ve got that itch…it’s time for a new job, a fresh opportunity, something stimulating. Perhaps you’re even looking to make a larger commitment and you’re ready to move from part-time work to full-time. at ISS

Does Your Employer Prioritize Diversity, Inclusion, and Allyship?

August 6, 2023
You’ve been searching “Jobs near me” online for a while, trying to determine what job is best suited for you. Maybe you are looking for a gig as a warehouse worker or customer service representative. A job is so much more than just a means to bring in income; it’s also about the work environment you are going into each day. at ISS

For the Short Term or the Long Haul, Core Values Lead to Success

August 4, 2023
Whether you’re searching for your very first job, looking for an exciting new position, or striving for a career change, job searching can be overwhelming. In today’s job market there are many opportunities, which means many applications, interviews, and time spent engaging with recruiters. One of the biggest mistakes many people make in their job search is looking for any job instead of looking for the right job. That doesn’t just go for a full-time position in your dream career – even if you are looking for a part-time job, gig work, or just need a temporary position, the right fit matters and will benefit both you and the company. at ISS

How Promoting Within Improves Retention

August 2, 2023
Retention is a top concern for today’s HR leaders, who are being faced with an unprecedented turnover risk. According to a recent survey from PwC, 65% of employees surveyed are on the hunt for a new job, nearly double the rate from just a few months ago. With more than 10 million open jobs and an economy on the brink of bouncing back from the pandemic, the likelihood of employees seeking greener pastures is growing by the day. So, how can employers hang onto their talent? One solution may lie in internal promotions. at ISS

How To Ensure Candidates Feel Heard During The Onboarding Process

July 30, 2023
Getting top-tier talent through the door is quite an effort for many employers today. With the Great Resignation underway, pandemic challenges, evolving employee expectations and more, HR and hiring leaders are eager to get candidates locked in and moving right into their positions. That’s why improving onboarding should be a primary target. at ISS

Make the Most Out of Your Holiday Hustle

July 25, 2023
The holiday season is upon us! For many, that means tons of shopping trips, running to family get-togethers, cooking up a storm—it’s an exciting time but one that definitely creates lots of work and even more costs. If you’re looking to make some extra cash this season to give your loved ones (and yourself!) the best holiday ever, ISS makes it easy to get connected with the right work that fits your skills and your schedule—giving you more time to enjoy all that the holidays have to offer. at ISS

From Entry Level to Executive

July 23, 2023
Not that long ago, it was common for employees to be at the same job for years, even decades. Now, that’s often unheard of! Employees like to job hop, try out new opportunities and climb that corporate ladder at a bunch of different organizations. But, what if it didn’t have to be that way? at ISS

3 Benefits of Promoting Internal Employees

July 21, 2023
When employees struggle to get ahead, they often seek opportunities to do so elsewhere. Unfortunately, many workers feel their employers stifle their professional growth, leading to an all-too-common revolving door. at ISS
More Posts
Share by: