Stress, load, and how to cope with it

Stress at work is a common experience for many people, and it can come from a variety of sources such as heavy workloads, tight deadlines, or difficult clients. When we feel stressed at work, it can affect our productivity and overall job satisfaction. It can also lead to physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, difficulty sleeping, and increased anxiety.

It’s important to recognize that some level of stress at work is normal and can actually be helpful in keeping us motivated and productive.

“Life is like riding a bicycle,

if it’s too easy, you’re probably going downhill”

If you’re like me, you probably felt the “Student Syndrome”, where we had too much time at the beginning of the semester, so we didn’t start working on our projects. This was an ineffective time and not a productive one.
Usually, as the load increases, we become more productive and effective. That’s true all the way to our peak, after which we become just overwhelmed and stressed out, and much less productive.

So you should find your way to get the right level of stress — one that helps you be productive and not stale, busy but not exhausted. You should try and keep yourself in that zone where you’re effective but not stressed out.

There are several things that can contribute to stress at work, including:

• Time pressure: feeling like you don’t have enough time to get everything done
• Heavy workload: having too many tasks or responsibilities
• Difficult clients or coworkers: dealing with conflict, challenging personalities, or fear of making mistakes.
• Tight deadlines: feeling pressured to meet unrealistic or unreasonable deadlines
• Cognitive load: feeling overwhelmed by the accumulation of tasks that require mental effort. When we have too much on our plate, it can be overwhelming and lead to stress.

Reducing stress at work is important for maintaining good physical and mental health, as well as for maintaining productivity. Here are some strategies for reducing stress at work:

• Prioritize tasks: make a list of your tasks and prioritize them based on importance and deadlines. This can help you feel more organized and in control of your workload. In general, it is a good practice to work on no more than 2 tasks in parallel. If you’re using a Kanban board / Scrum board — do not have more than 2 tasks in the “In Progress” column. In any given time you will work only on one task. It is ok to have a “backup task”, such that you will work on if the main task is on hold, waiting for someone to respond to a question about it.
• Communicate effectively: if you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to communicate this to your boss or coworkers. They may be able to provide support or adjust your workload to make it more manageable.
• Learn to say no: it’s okay to push back on tasks or deadlines that are unrealistic or unreasonable. It’s better to be honest and upfront about what you can and cannot handle, rather than taking on too much and getting overwhelmed.
• Delegate / ask your peers to assist — it is ok to know to ask for help. In most cases, your task is important to the team you’re part of. So asking for help will help your team accomplish its goals. So don’t hesitate to do it if you’re on the critical path and behind schedule. Of course, don’t make this a habit, you should usually deliver on what you committed to.
• Set boundaries: it’s important to take breaks and make time for activities outside of work. This can help prevent burnout and keep you feeling refreshed and energized.

To cope with stress at work, it’s important to find healthy ways to manage it. This may involve setting boundaries, communicating effectively, and prioritizing tasks. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Seek support from your boss, coworkers, or a professional if needed. Taking care of your physical and mental health is essential for maintaining productivity and job satisfaction.