How Do I Effectively Reduce Stress - Fast?

[rodster888]

I am planning to go back to work soon and I will be going back as a supervisor / team leader at a call center. Call centers are indeed very stressful given the hours and demands (client demands, metrics, sales targets, etc). I need help on being able to keep my stress, anxiety and emotions at bay. I usually have a very tough time keeping my emotions "tamed" or keeping stress levels down. Sometimes to the point where in I can no longer sleep and I borderline depression.

How can I avoid this from happening when I go back to work at a call center again? It's the only type of job I know how to do well but my only problem is the high levels of stress that comes with it. Switching to a different industry at this point does not seem practical since I have to make some money fast.

Any help would do. Thanks =)

[Spoonboy]

If it will help, you will only know if you try it out, but I always found that if I treated a job as a working holiday I enjoyed it more.

[pixie373]

It's hard to avoid stress completely, especially in a high-pressured environment. Obviously, the more organised you can be at work, the easier you'll cope. Keep a notepad with you to jot down anything you can't do immediately.
your health is very important and it may be worth speaking to your GP for methods to relieve stress or medication if needed. You won't be earning at all it all gets too much for you.

[Eve]

Be organised, spend time first thing and at intervals making sure you are organising, prioritising effectively, delegating where appropriate (especially if you find it hard to let go of things/control to others) and slot in de-stress breaks regularly, even if just going to make a coffee.

Don't just focus on the work, focus on the changes you can make to help you.

Kalms tablets can be good and rescue remedy and things like camomile tea for major stress moments. If you tend to hype things up and let them overwhelm you, especially if you tend to over exaggerate, you could have little postits with trigger words on like relax, breathe, rationalise etc... They can even be less visible like a bracelet/charm/stressball/photo, something to focus on to calm you, even something that just makes you smile/laugh.

Could work help you phase back in and try to help you with your stress levels?

Long term though, unless you can handle the stress, get out of the situation, it's not worth it if you can find a different job where you are less stressed.

[woofgang]

sorry but your question "how to reduce stress fast?" did make me smile a bit....its a bit like asking "How can I learn to be patient-NOW!!!?

Stress management is achieved by partly changing who you are...

[rodster888]

Thanks everyone for your inputs, will definitely put all your tips on my list of "stress reducing techniques". Appreciate it! =)