Feeling overwhelmed by work stress in Nigeria? You’re not alone. Studies, including one by Bloomberg, rank Nigeria among the toughest places to live. Reports from the News Agency of Nigeria estimate that approximately 7 million Nigerians suffer from stress and depression. The daily grind starts early, with buses bustling and alarms persistently rousing us from sleep. It’s a hustle that leaves little time for play, as many work hard yet struggle to find adequate compensation for their efforts.
But stress isn’t just a part of life here; it’s a serious issue. It can lead to depression and even impact life expectancy. However, there’s hope. In this article, we’ll explore practical strategies for managing work stress in Nigeria and staying productive.
Understanding Work Stress
It’s essential to differentiate between stress and challenge. While challenges can enhance problem-solving skills, work stress arises from overwhelming pressures and responsibilities that exceed one’s coping abilities. This stress can take a toll on health and productivity. Below are 7 Effective Strategies for Managing Work Stress in Nigeria;
1. Be Proactive: Stress manifests when we feel threatened and powerless. It is actually a physical process, with stress hormones and measurable bodily responses. Our heart rate goes up and our focus takes a dip. In order to minimize stress, you have to be proactive with what causes it. Instead of trying to cope with stress after you feel the anxiety knocking on your door, identify what causes you stress at work and deal with it.
2. Avoid Interruptions: Today, the typical workplace is filled with interruptions. From emails and instant messages to impossible deadlines and digital distractions, there are thousands of ways to lose your focus. A bit of distraction during work may be uplifting, but constant distractions will ruin your mood and reinforce workplace anxiety. The best way to deal with this is to identify and eliminate as many daily interruptions as possible.
3. Identify and Deal with Your Daily Frustrations: People can often manage big problems easier than small ones. Most work-related stress comes from small, annoying stressors. These stressors often fly under the radar and can annoy or bother you without you realizing it. By identifying your stressors, you can see them for what they are and be able to deal with them.
4. Take Care of Yourself: Going to work after an all-nighter is a sure way to be cranky. Insufficient sleep will ruin your concentration, make you twitchy, and ultimately cause you anxiety. The same holds true for eating. You will need at least 7 hours of sleep each night and enough veggies and protein to keep your body fuelled throughout the day.
5. Responding Instead of Coping: Sometimes we just want to run away from what causes us stress and anxiety. You may be tempted to counter anxiety by binge eating or self-medicating, but these are not healthy solutions. Instead of indulging yourself to forget your anxiety, it is best to learn how to have healthy responses.
6. Speak Up: Sometimes keeping your anxiety bottled up makes it seem worse than it is. To deal with workplace stress, you should speak to your co-workers and your supervisor about it. Speaking up will allow your co-workers to adjust their routines and find a better balance for everyone.
7. Realize You’re Not Alone: Finally, you should accept that you don’t have to deal with your anxiety by yourself. If you feel overwhelmed, there is no shame in seeking support from friends, loved ones, or professionals.
Now equipped with effective strategies, it’s time to take charge of your work stress. Here at Lifecrest, our team of experts provides individual therapy for anxiety and other related conditions to help you deal with your anxiety at work or in other areas of your life.
We use the latest techniques to help our patients regain their energy, reduce their stress, and enjoy optimal mental health. As psychology counselling specialists, it is our goal to help you realize your full potential and truly thrive.
Contact Lifecrest however you feel most comfortable – WhatsApp message us, or feel free to call us on +2348102820282. You can also email or simply send us a query via our online form.
