Executive Coaching Stress Management │ Burnout Coaching

Executive Coaching Stress Management

I’m sorry if you feel unable to handle pressure at work or if you're not coping with work-related stress. I know how unpleasant these things can be and how they can prevent you from performing your role in the way that you would like to. Below I describe what stress is and how as a stress management executive coach I can offer you personalised stress management coaching to help you cope with pressure at work better and deal with stress at work.

What is Personalised Stress Management
Executive Coaching?

As an executive work-stress coach I can help you in two ways :-

To help you explore whether you have particular work-related stressors or triggers that make you vulnerable to stress. These may relate to aspects such as your personality type, background and culture, your personal circumstances, your health status or your level of skills and experience. We can then work together to find options to lessen the impact of your stressors or triggers on your working life.
To develop effective stress management strategies for yourself which will include learning proven stress management tools and techniques. These will enable you to better handle pressure and stress at work.

What is Stress? What is Pressure?

Stress has been defined as "The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demands placed on them at work."* Stress can be seen as a response to a threatening situation - that you are becoming overwhelmed.

Pressure and stress are not the same. Being under some pressure at work can help motivate you, help you move forward with your goals and perform better. However, when pressure at work rises to levels you cannot handle, then a person can feel stress. Stress is a natural response by your body and brain to too much pressure.

It’s worth noting, sometimes people at work can feel stressed by too little pressure for instance if the role is below your capabilities causing you to feel bored and unfulfilled.

Different people can handle different amounts of pressure. That is why personalised stress management coaching can be highly effective. Personalised stress management coaching helps you understand your individual response to pressure at work and help you develop ways to better handle pressure and deal with stress in ways that are effective for you.
*UK Health and Safety Executive

What Causes Stress at Work?

You may feel you stressed at work for many reasons. Perhaps your employer expects a lot from you without giving you the necessary resources in terms of time, budget and staff to deliver their desired outcome. You may feel that your boss is unsupportive or even unavailable. You may be working long hours. Organisational structure and reporting lines may be unclear and you may feel you are coping alone much of the time. If you’re asked to undertake projects that require skills that you don’t have, that too can lead to work-related stress.

The ‘always on’ culture that digital technology has brought about, along with globalisation, organisational change and company downsizing mean that many people feel that the pace of work has speeded up in recent years and this can contribute to work places feeling pressured. For some people this can lead to feeling stressed at work. Harassment or bullying can also make you feel stressed at work.

However, as individuals we can also contribute to our personal stress levels, for example by placing unrealistically high expectations on ourselves. Or by withdrawing from bosses, friends and family and not asking for support. If you are going to cope with work stress then you will need to attend to relationships and your support system both at work and out of work.

Common Symptoms of Executive Stress at Work

Work-related stress can have mental, emotional and physical effects. Emotional symptoms of stress include :-

Feeling overwhelmed
Feeling unmotivated in your job
Lacking confidence and being indecisive
Experiencing moodswings
Feeling disappointed with yourself about your performance
Feeling depressed or anxious
Feeling tearful
Feeling irritable or even angry

Physical symptoms of work-related stress can include :-

Feeling tired or ‘tired all the time’ and that you have no energy
Feeling sick
Indigestion, stomach ache, constipation or diarrhoea
Gaining weight or losing weight
Chest pains
Low or no libido.

Why It’s Vital to Manage Stress at Work

If you don't take steps to manage stress at work and lessen its effects, it can lead to burnout and even being unable to work for a long time.
Feeling stressed for long period of times can harm your physical health. Stomach ulcers, high blood pressure and heart disease to name but a few have all been linked with not being able to handle pressure and cope with stress at work.
If you can't manage your stress at work then you may also feel anxious in response to the stress. Your anxiety may intrude into all aspects of your life. You may suffer panic attacks.
When professionals feel very stressed they find it difficult to achieve their career goals. They may hold back from seeking out the projects and opportunities they desire - and miss out on the rewards.
Feeling stressed can harm your work and personal relationships. Ironically, relationships can be key to helping us deal with stress.

The Benefits of Stress Management Executive Coaching :-

Support and a listening ear when you’re feeling overwhelmed and not coping with work stress.
A supportive non-judgemental space where you can open up about your difficulties in coping with work-related stress and how it is affecting your performance at work.
Greater understanding of what your individual work stressors or triggers may be so that you can make the behavioural and attitudinal shifts that can help you deal better with your stress.
Proven strategies, tools and techniques to help you manage your stress effectively.
You’ll learn how to ‘step back’ from stressful states, centre yourself, and feel more relaxed in mind and body.