Feeling Overwhelmed At Work? Here’s What To Do

Too many women in management positions are silently struggling at work and living in a constant state of anxiety. The Muse gave us some ideas for combatting anxiety at work, so we decided to put together a list. Here are a few ways to lift the burden off your shoulders at work:

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
If you feel like you’re drowning in work, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You won’t do yourself or your team any favors by silently juggling too much and then dropping the ball on something important. Delegate any non-essential tasks to lighten your load. 

Take Time for Self-Care
When you’re feeling overwhelmed and busy, sometimes the last thing you think about is taking care of yourself. It’s times like these that you need the most self-care, though. If you have trouble unplugging from work in the evening, try taking a bath as soon as the workday is over. This can help you mentally “wash off” the day and transition into ‘relax’ mode. 

Complete One Task At A Time
If you have several tasks due soon, it may be tempting to multitask. A lot of us do this, yet if you’re already overwhelmed it only adds to the stress. Give your brain a rest by focusing on one task at a time. You can also break up one large task into a series of smaller tasks to tackle one at a time. You’ve probably heard the saying: “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!” Take a breath, slow down, and focus on one task at a time.

Dial Down Distractions
We’re constantly inundated with distractions in the digital age we live in. The problem is that it typically only adds to the feeling of being overwhelmed. Next time you sit down to work, put your phone out of sight and remove any other distractions. You’ll get much more work done this way and feel less overwhelmed. 

Take A Walk
Sounds too simple, right? Studies show that taking a walk outside can significantly reduce anxiety. When you start to feel overwhelmed or stressed, one of the best things you can do is get out of your office and get outdoors. I know you may think you don’t have time, but you can easily squeeze in a 10-minute walk around the block. The fresh air will help clear your mind and you’ll probably find that you’re a lot more productive afterward.

Take a breath, implement some of these strategies, and know that you’re not alone. Our Bosstrack Community is a great resource for connecting with other women in leadership, getting advice, and learning new things.