Five ways to combat work related stress

Fundraising is fun. The clue is in the name. But it can also be stressful. There are deadlines to meet, stakeholders to please, ever-changing regulations to stay on top of, and a constant need to generate funds.

As it’s World Mental Health Day on October 10th, we’ve put together a list of strategies you and your team can use to keep your stress levels under control. 

Spotting the signs

We all react to stress differently. Some people internalise it, others get agitated, and some people don’t realise they’re stressed at all.

Some of the warning signs to look out for include:

• mood swings

• feeling overwhelmed

• being withdrawn

• loss of motivation, commitment, and/or confidence

• increased emotional reactions – being more tearful, sensitive, or aggressive

• multiple sick days

It’s all very well knowing what to look out for, but what can you do to stop things from escalating in the first place?

Here are a few pointers. 

Take care of your body and mind

If your first reaction to stress is to overeat, mainline Haribo or stop eating altogether, it’s not going to do your health any good.

Yes, you have deadlines to meet, but you still need to take care of yourself.

Sleep, food, and a solid self-care routine will help keep your mental and physical health in good shape – both at work and home. 

Swap multitasking for chunking

Multitasking is touted as a great way to maximise time and get more done. But it doesn’t work for everyone. For some people, splitting their focus makes them less productive and more prone to making mistakes.

If you’re one of these people, try another cognitive strategy like chunking. 

Establish a support network

Contrary to popular belief, talking about your feelings isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s taking charge of your well-being.

Identify one or two friends/colleagues/family members you can talk to when times get tough. You’ll feel better for it.

Balance your home and work life

In the UK, we work the longest hours in Europe, meaning we don't spend enough time doing things we enjoy.

Working 24/7 is a surefire way to burn out. For the sake of your mental health, it’s important to create boundaries between your work and home life.

Set aside two nights a week for R&R. On those evenings, overtime, office talk, and work calls are banned. 

Burned out and looking for a new job in fundraising? We can help. Give us a call on 020 3750 3111 to get the process started.