“It is better to intervene than remediate”

Preventing stress is the best remedy to reduce the effects of stress in daily life, and its potential (and negative) consequences. There are three broad areas which comprise many strategies of stress prevention, particularly in the workplace. Such areas involve making decisions, avoiding procrastination and delegation.

Make Decisions

There are two techniques which are directed to improve decision-making processes to prevent stress. The first technique involves the individual’s subconscious: if you can’t make up your mind, let your subconscious decide. What does that mean?

Before going to bed, think about your problem and the various choices you could make. Think about each choice clearly in your mind. Tell yourself you’re going to make the decision while you sleep. You may not name the solution the next morning but if you keep trying, you will eventually awaken with your mind made up.

The other technique involves structuring information in order to support decision-making. Sit down with a pencil and make some lists. First, list your options. Second, list the consequences of each option. Then write your responses to this question: “what will happen if I don’t choose at all?” Not making a decision constitutes a decision in itself and it also has consequences. Once you realise that something is going to happen whether you make a decision or not, you may find the decision easier to make. Simple — but it works.

Avoid Procrastination

If procrastination causes stress in your life, learn to stop putting things off. People don’t do their best work under pressure. However, some people convince themselves that if they do so they can avoid dealing with their habit of procrastination. Make a weekly schedule and fill it with lots of time for leisure as well as work.

That way, you’ll enjoy your leisure time because you’ll be doing it at the right time, not when you should be working. And when you are working, you won’t resent it because you’ll know that your personal time is coming up soon.

Delegate

People who haven’t learned to delegate often feel needlessly stressed. Some are poor delegators because of too little or too much ego. Delegating isn’t a matter of dictating to others; it’s asking others to assist you by doing tasks they can handle. This gives you more time to do those tasks that perhaps only you can do.