Work stress flowing into my personal life
September 28, 2010 11:33 AM Subscribe
I have trouble dealing with when work becomes stressful. Help!
I work for a public accounting firm, which due to its short deadlines and need for perfection, can by itself be stressful. I cope with most of it pretty well, but once I get very busy, I stop dealing with the stress well. My awful boss only compounds this stress due to his inability to manage and complete lack of people skills.
As I say, generally I cope with it pretty well. But once I start getting really stressed, I stop sleeping well. Invariably I also break out like a pubescent and probably get sick, too. Fun! I feel like when I am at work I am fine for the most part, but once I lay down to bed I just toss and turn, even though I feel tired prior to laying down. I've done some internet searches for coping with stress, and I don't feel like most of it is applicable to me: I manage my weight fine, eat well, get exercise. Overall I feel like I live a pretty healthy lifestyle, except for this one thing.
Help!
I work for a public accounting firm, which due to its short deadlines and need for perfection, can by itself be stressful. I cope with most of it pretty well, but once I get very busy, I stop dealing with the stress well. My awful boss only compounds this stress due to his inability to manage and complete lack of people skills.
As I say, generally I cope with it pretty well. But once I start getting really stressed, I stop sleeping well. Invariably I also break out like a pubescent and probably get sick, too. Fun! I feel like when I am at work I am fine for the most part, but once I lay down to bed I just toss and turn, even though I feel tired prior to laying down. I've done some internet searches for coping with stress, and I don't feel like most of it is applicable to me: I manage my weight fine, eat well, get exercise. Overall I feel like I live a pretty healthy lifestyle, except for this one thing.
Help!
My current job is very demanding. I get to sleep by firmly reminding myself that my only job at bedtime is to go to sleep-- everything else isn't going to get done anyway, because I have to sleep.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 11:47 AM on September 28, 2010
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 11:47 AM on September 28, 2010
Yoga works a treat for stress on most people. Also, getting out into nature when you can. This doesn't have to be a hike in the country - a simple visit to a nice green park or garden will do.
And I know the economy stinks and all, but accounting skills are usually in demand in most places, so keep your resume polished and contacts updated. Even if you don't want to look for another job, it really helps your outlook to know you have options should your job become unbearable, or your boss up and fires you or whatever.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 12:20 PM on September 28, 2010
And I know the economy stinks and all, but accounting skills are usually in demand in most places, so keep your resume polished and contacts updated. Even if you don't want to look for another job, it really helps your outlook to know you have options should your job become unbearable, or your boss up and fires you or whatever.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 12:20 PM on September 28, 2010
I keep telling myself that it's out of my hands, I'm doing the best job I can comfortably manage, and that has to be enough. Repeating this distances me from the job and I feel like I work better because of it.
I also take breaks away from my desk to just unwind whenever I want to strangle someone - I take a walk or go get a tea and think of something else for ten minutes. Mini-meditation.
posted by lizbunny at 12:23 PM on September 28, 2010
I also take breaks away from my desk to just unwind whenever I want to strangle someone - I take a walk or go get a tea and think of something else for ten minutes. Mini-meditation.
posted by lizbunny at 12:23 PM on September 28, 2010
Seconding therapists and/ or yoga/ meditation to help you let go of things you can't control. As for getting to sleep, I use podcasts I find interesting but are very low-key. If I'm concentrating on what they're saying instead of what I'm worried about, I drop off. Two of my favorites for this are "In Our Time" and "A History of the World in 100 Objects".
posted by yerfatma at 12:33 PM on September 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by yerfatma at 12:33 PM on September 28, 2010 [2 favorites]
Right now I am listening to an audiobook on mental toughness because of similar issues I had when my sales job got really stressful.
posted by Rubbstone at 5:44 PM on September 28, 2010
posted by Rubbstone at 5:44 PM on September 28, 2010
What exactly do you worry about, when you can't sleep? If it is your to do list update it every night before you leave and then you can hit the ground running the next morning.
If your workload is unsustainable raise this.
Also, learn to ignore your inbox, and learn to manage your boss...
posted by koahiatamadl at 8:59 PM on September 28, 2010
If your workload is unsustainable raise this.
Also, learn to ignore your inbox, and learn to manage your boss...
posted by koahiatamadl at 8:59 PM on September 28, 2010
I use visualizations whenever I can't sleep because I'm overwhelmed with anxiety (specific or nameless). Sometimes I picture following a string into fog, other times I picture driving along a dark road. Either way it requires concentration in order to complete the mental activity which does the trick of blocking out whatever else is bothering me long enough for me to fall asleep. Don't know if this will help you, but trying probably wouldn't hurt. Good luck!
posted by Temeraria at 11:06 PM on September 28, 2010
posted by Temeraria at 11:06 PM on September 28, 2010
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posted by Threeway Handshake at 11:34 AM on September 28, 2010