Tips against work stress - work-life balance is crucial

DEKRA gives tips against work stress

 

• Smart work organization sets priorities
• Separate home office and private life
• Use opportunities to reduce stress

Very few employees are able to escape the increasing stress at work. Almost nine out of ten employees (88 percent) report that negative psychological stress is increasing in the world of work, according to the DEKRA Occupational Safety Report 2021. The expert organization's occupational physicians recommend that companies and employees make better use of opportunities to reduce stress.

“During the pandemic, the pressure on employees has increased further for many due to working from home, hygiene regulations and family pressures,” says Karin Müller, Head of People and Health at DEKRA. “In times like these, a good work-life balance with sufficient rest and recovery phases is more important than ever. We need to give the mind the chance to relax every day.”

Sufficient recovery phases

This includes sufficient exercise and compensatory sport, not only on vacation, but also in addition to work. “We all need to get enough restful sleep. In addition, take the time to discover things that are good for you personally,” emphasizes Müller. If you do this regularly, you can relax your body and mind more quickly. For example, by going for a walk, reading a book, having a massage or using a relaxation technique.

Work packages from 45 to 60 minutes

The work itself requires an unusual form of discipline: taking breaks in good time and not just when you can no longer do it. 'Work packages' of 45 to 60 minutes have proven effective. In between, it is sometimes enough to leave the workplace for a short time, look into the distance, catch your breath or stretch.

Prioritize requirements

Smart work organization is another way to tackle stress. “Sort and prioritize the requirements. Ask yourself what is important, what is urgent and what applies to both,” says the occupational psychologist. “Always question whether this is really your own assessment or whether it is solely determined by others and therefore stressful.” If this is the case, a discussion with your line manager is recommended.

Service is service...

Writing down the five most important points for the next day the evening before and keeping a to-do list has proven to be a good idea. After that, however, it's time to switch off and consciously separate work and private life, especially when working from home. “Business cell phones and laptops have no place in the bedroom,” says Müller.

Reduce multitasking

It is also important to clear out your diary and reduce multitasking, as this leads to excessive demands in the long term. Expert tip: concentrate on one thing at a time and avoid sensory overload, take time to eat and don't carry on working at the same time.

Countering team stress with communication

Strained social relationships with superiors or colleagues are known to be a high stress factor. Therefore: Maintain regular communication with them and actively seek a conversation in the event of disruptions.

Adopt a new perspective

It can also help to adopt a new perspective: “Don't let yourself be overwhelmed by stressful factors, but consciously focus on positive things that bring you joy,” says the DEKRA expert. She cites a bouquet of flowers at work, a good meal or the first blossoms on the trees as examples.

Calm before difficult appointments

And how do you tackle the inevitable difficult appointments? “Good preparation is half the battle. Calm down a few minutes beforehand and remind yourself of the most important aspects. Anticipating too much won't work, there's too much emotion involved,” says Karin Müller. “But realize that the world won't end, even if an appointment goes wrong.”

About DEKRA

DEKRA has been working for safety for almost 100 years: The Deutscher Kraftfahrzeug-Überwachungs-Verein e.V., founded in Berlin in 1925, has become one of the world's leading expert organizations. DEKRA SE is a wholly owned subsidiary of DEKRA e.V. and manages the Group's operational business. In 2020, DEKRA achieved a turnover of almost 3.2 billion euros. Around 44,000 employees work in around 60 countries on all five continents. With qualified and independent expert services, they work to ensure safety on the road, at work and at home. The portfolio ranges from vehicle testing and expert opinions to claims settlement, industrial and construction testing, safety consulting, testing and certification of products and systems, training services and temporary employment. The vision for the 100th anniversary in 2025 is: DEKRA will be the global partner for a safe and sustainable world. With a Platinum rating from EcoVadis, DEKRA is already one of the top 1% of sustainable companies in the ranking.