If you’ve been in the workforce long enough, you know that business ebbs and flows. Some seasons are slow, while others are incredibly hectic. Maintaining productivity and a healthy work-life balance during busy periods can be challenging. However, with the right strategies, you can manage stress and boost efficiency even in the most chaotic times. Here, we share some of the best tips we’ve discovered to reduce stress and enhance productivity, enabling your work ethic to shine.
Be Prepared for the Workload Increase: Have a Plan
One of the main causes of stress is uncertainty or fear of the unknown, and feeling overwhelmed or anxious when facing the unknown is natural. This is why having a plan can be incredibly helpful in managing stress during busy seasons at work. Take time to write down your job responsibilities and tasks that will likely increase during this period. Then, make a plan for how you will handle each task, including any potential roadblocks or challenges that may arise.
For example, if you work in retail and know that sales typically quadruple during holiday seasons, make a contingency plan for handling unexpected customer complaints, employee shortages, or inventory shortages. A solidly set backup plan can give you more confidence and peace of mind, allowing you to focus on the task at hand.
If you’ve been in your current job for over a year, it may also be helpful to reflect on the previous busy seasons and identify any difficulties or issues that came up in prior seasons. This will allow you to learn from past experiences and improve your strategies for managing stress during busy times.
Finally, it’s important to accept that there may still be unknowns despite having a solid plan in place. Instead of fixating on these uncertainties, try to focus on what you can control and let go of what you can’t.
Maintain Good Health Habits
It’s no secret that stress can hurt our health. Stress can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to illnesses. According to Mayo Clinic, the longer your body is under stress, the higher your cortisol output. Cortisol is the hormone that prepares your body to respond to “fight or flight” situations by adjusting its needs in the moment. This is helpful in the short term but can actually harm your health if you’re chronically stuck in “fight-or-flight” mode. Hence the term “stress-induced illness.”
The best way to keep your cortisol levels in a mostly normal range is to maintain good health habits during busy seasons. This includes eating healthy foods that boost your immune system, getting adequate sleep, staying hydrated, and taking regular breaks throughout the workday.
Exercise is a superb method for managing stress and boosting productivity. It releases dopamine and endorphins, which help alleviate stress. if you only have 15 minutes to spare, go for a quick walk or do a quick, 5-minute intense workout to help clear your mind and re-energize your body.
Busy seasons at work are inevitable, but they don’t have to be overwhelming. By having a plan, accepting the unknowns, and taking care of your health, you can reduce stress and boost productivity during even the craziest times. Keep calm and carry on!