Feel Like You’re Working Eight Days a Week?

When your inbox is overflowing and your deadlines are fast approaching, it’s easy to lose your cool. Excessive stress can bring out the worst in the most even-tempered employees and if left unchecked, could easily lead to burnout. It’s been said that music soothes the savage soul, and I for one find this to be absolutely true. When I feel stress creeping in, I need only reach for my headphones and within minutes I can find my center, take a deep breath, and continue on with my day, nerves intact.

The Beatles have always been a personal favorite and during a recent listening session, I found that many of the lyrics to some of my favorite tunes seemed to be offering up sound advice for addressing and overcoming excessive workplace stress.

For well you know it’s a fool who plays it cool by making his world a little colder. – Hey Jude
Misery may love company, but it’s never a good idea to take your frustrations out on co-workers. So it’s important to find a way to cope that doesn’t involve bringing innocent team members down with you.

With every mistake, we must surely be learning. – While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Take note of the situations and activities that consistently stress you out. Once you know what triggers those feelings of anxiety, you can begin to take measures to avoid them – or at least lessen the blow – in the future.

I get by with a little help from my friends. – With A Little Help from My Friends
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Even the most productive employees can get in over their head from time-to-time. And as long it doesn’t become an everyday occurrence, you’ll find that most of your coworkers will be more than willing to lend a helping hand.

Hello, hello, hello. I don’t know why you say good-bye, I say hello. – Hello, Goodbye
When doors close, start opening windows. Roadblocks are only as big as you make them, so start training your mind to think outside the box. Never admit defeat until you’re sure you have exhausted every possible option.

Here comes the sun, and I say it’s alright. – Here Comes the Sun
Choose to have a great day. Positive thinking is a powerful tool when battling stress. From the moment you wake up, decide to control your day. Acknowledge the fact that you are going to be faced with difficult situations and start preparing yourself mentally and emotionally to roll with the punches.

Work stress comes in all shapes and sizes and can quickly turn from manageable to overwhelming. Whether it’s music, books, exercise, or ice cream, when stress starts bearing down on you, it’s important to have a go to source for calming inspiration to help you get back, get back, get back to where you once belonged.