Relieving Stress as a Manager

Management can be an extremely challenging thing. When you have other people under your supervision, you’ll be exposed to an entirely new set of problems to deal with – and for many, the stress can be difficult to deal with.

In some cases, you might be tempted to commit all of your time toward the role, at the expense of your home life, relationships, and even your health. To get into this position, you’ll have to agree to take on extra responsibility – and that can often mean extra stress.

Part of your job as a manager is to identify and flag mistakes made by the employees under your supervision. But a good manager will also be able to reflect upon their own mistakes – which might range from unrealistic deadline-setting to workaholism, to job insecurity.

To succeed in this role in the long run, you’ll need to establish a few key habits. Let’s examine some of the most important ones.

Exercise regularly

If your physical health suffers, then you won’t make a very good manager. You’ll be more stressed than you otherwise would be, which can lead to a negative cycle. You’ll adopt more unhealthy habits, like committing too much time to the office and eating poorly.

Exercise is a natural stress-buster because it promotes the production of endorphins. It will also help you to feel and function better in the long term, and set a good example to your staff.

Healthy boundaries

If you’re unable to switch off from work, then you’ll suffer from burnout. In today’s age of constant connection and working from home, this is a particularly pressing concern. Setting boundaries can be difficult, especially if you have a habit of working late into the evening. Try to determine which triggers are causing you to think about work during your downtime. In some cases, therapy might be appropriate – but at the very least you should consider putting your phone to one side.

Support and help

Management means responsibility. Where once you were worried about your performance at work, now you might be thinking about the performance of an entire department, or business. You might be exposed to larger risks, like cybersecurity and trust within the business. Seeking guidance from professionals for white-collar crimes might help to put your mind at ease.

Time management

There are only so many hours available on any given day – and you’ll have less of it to spare while you’re managing. Being able to delegate is critical – though in some all-hands-on-deck situations, you might wish to set an example by working yourself.

Set realistic goals for both yourself and your department. Focus on single tasks before moving on to the next one, and make sure that you’ve set time for breaks. In other words, work as you would expect the ideal employee under your supervision to work.