How to deal with a stressful job

Much is required of us in life, especially when jobs get demanding. You find yourself with a lot of pressure resulting from a lot of work that needs to be done as early as yesterday.
Teacher Nicole Nabunya of Destiny Bridge Academy in Wakiso District, shares her experience and explains how she cools off her long days.

“Whenever I have had a long day, trying to meet deadlines such as making report cards, I usually go to swim. It keeps me busy and forget the stressing things around me,” she says.
Depression being a major disorder, can eat you up and has the potential to drown you into sorrow or suicidal thoughts.
This is why a victim may need to find mind-occupying activities.
Reports from the World Health Organisation indicate that depression is the leading cause of disability across the world.
Some jobs require critical thinking in order to bring the best out of them. However, your well-being should always be at the fore front during and after a long day’s work.

Counsellors’ say
“I almost broke down when my boss decided to cut my salary by 50 per cent during the company’s downsizing, it affected my productivity and motivation,” says Joseph Mujwiga, a sales executive.
“After work, I would have long nights out and arrive home after having too much to drink. This was because I found comfort in the bottle, rather than spend quality time with my family,” recounts Mujwiga.
However, David Kavuma, a counseling psychologist at Midmay Uganda and Adonai Counselling and Training, discourages victims of stress against getting emotionally drained because it instead creates more dangers.
“It is important to first understand what is stressing you, after which seek support. If you are stressed over being underpaid, make sure you do not turn your anger to other people, but instead talk about it with your supervisor,” he says.

Avoid negative emotions
Stephen Langa, the executive director and family counsellor at Family Life Network in Kansanga, advises victims to look at the situation positively as negative emotions may lead to adverse behaviour.
According to Langa, a problem shared is a problem solved. Thus, he says, try to share the problem with workmates and family members.
“Family is the biggest ally and should be engaged rather than neglected during crises. This is simply because whenever one is facing tough situations, family always comforts him or her,” he says.

Medical view

Sitting posture
Priscillah Ondoga, a psychotherapist at The Surgery in Naguru says stress presents itself mostly in mental form and back pain or even headaches, which arise from demand or pressure related to work.
Therefore, according to Ondoga, one should be careful of how they sit (for long hours) at the office because “sitting is the new smoking”.
“Assess your sitting posture. Sit closer to your work desk. A bad sitting posture makes your body to under use some of your muscles which puts pressure on others thus the pain,” she says.
To ensure a stress-free body during work, Ondonga recommends that your desktop should be at the eye-level and you should maintain an upright sitting posture with a straight back.
However, she says, in case you need to lean backwards, adjust the keyboard closer to the thigh area and where you have persistent problems or pain seek help from a doctor.

Play or exercise
Additionally, she advises that you should find the child in you and play a little or you can opt for exercises that you can do with some colleagues at office.

Signs of being stressed
Take note. Stress presents itself mostly in mental form and pain in the back, shoulder or even headaches. Therefore, take note when you get some of those experience.

What he says

“It is important to understand what is stressing you, after which ensure to seek support. If you are stressed over being underpaid, make sure you do not turn your anger to other people, instead raise the concern to your supervisor,”
David Kavuma, a counseling psychologist at Midmay Uganda and Adonai Counseling and Training.

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