If you manage an office, you know that being a manager is challenging. It’s a job that requires constant attention to detail as well as strategic thinking and planning. In fact, many people who are logical, organized and analytical by nature find management positions taxing. One of the most challenging aspects of management is staying focused and motivated on a day-to-day basis. However, there’s good news: Research shows that managers who actively work to maintain balance and remain healthy tend to have higher levels of job satisfaction and stay in their roles for longer than their peers. If you’re feeling the pressure of your management role or just want to make sure you’re not headed toward burnout, here are some strategies for managing stress and staying balanced.
Don’t just manage — take time to breathe and care for yourself.
For many people, the idea of taking a vacation from work is a source of anxiety. If you’re feeling like you need a break, but you’re worried it might harm your career, the good news is that a vacation is a great way to shake things up and get some perspective on how you’re managing your stress. Getting away from your normal surroundings can help you relax, reset and find a fresh perspective on your work situation — and that’s important. Stress is a normal part of every person’s life — it can help us stay focused and alert. But when it’s not managed properly, it can become harmful and lead to burnout. One way to get a break from the pressures of your work situation is to schedule some time off.
Turn off your brain from work at the office and make evenings yours.
Being a good manager means being present and engaged in your work. You need to be able to focus and make quick decisions, even when things are hectic. However, being available 24/7 for your team members can be exhausting. To avoid burning out, you may want to consider creating boundaries for when you’re available for work and when you’re not. One way to do this is to shut off your work email and other accounts after business hours. This will give you a sense of control and help you avoid feeling overwhelmed by your responsibilities. Another way to protect your personal time is to carve out time for yourself at the office. If you’re working from home, try to create a space where you can fully concentrate and feel comfortable. If you work in an office, you may want to set aside a specific time each day where you can just focus on being present in the moment and not dealing with work-related tasks. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Be mindful of your physical and mental wellbeing.
Some managers are so caught up in their work and responsibilities that they don’t take time to care for themselves physically and mentally. This is a recipe for burnout. Being mindful of your physical and mental wellness is essential to avoiding this trap. You may want to try scheduling some time each day to engage in activities that make you feel balanced and less stressed. For example, you might want to start each morning with a mindful meditation session, or you might want to participate in a physical activity like yoga or tennis that helps you relax and focus. You might also want to set up some time during your workday to take a walk and clear your head.
Stay in touch with your team — they can help remind you why you love your job.
As an office manager, you may have regular contact with your employees, but you probably only see them in work-related situations. While you need to keep a professional distance with your team members, you may not have regular opportunities to just connect with them as people. This can hurt your ability to stay connected and motivated at work. One way to stay in touch with your team members outside of work is to attend team-building events. These events can help you and your team members get to know each other on a personal level and help you feel more connected and motivated to do your job well. Another option is to be more intentional about connecting with your team members on a regular basis. This can help you feel more connected to your team members and more motivated to do your job well because you’ll want to help them succeed.
Look after your body by exercising and eating right.
Managing stress and staying balanced requires more than just taking time to relax and managing your workload. It also requires taking care of your body. You may want to consider scheduling some time each week to engage in some physical activity — like going for a run, hitting the gym or participating in a team sport. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins — natural chemicals that make you feel happy and relaxed. You also get an opportunity to de-stress and focus on something other than your problems. Exercising regularly is also one of the best ways to keep your body healthy, making it less likely that you’ll experience stress-related health issues. You may also want to take some time to clean up your diet and make sure that you’re eating enough of the right kinds of foods. Stress can actually make you crave unhealthy foods — like sugary snacks or salty snacks. Eating healthy foods — like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy proteins — can help you feel less stressed and more energized.
Conclusion
Staying balanced isn’t always easy, but it’s worth the effort. Managing stress and taking care of your physical and mental health can help you avoid burnout and lead a happier, healthier life.