What do you do if your stress and pressure as a supervisor become overwhelming?

1 Identify the sources

The first step to deal with stress and pressure is to identify what causes them. Is it the workload, the deadlines, the conflicts, the expectations, or something else? Once you know the sources, you can prioritize them and address them accordingly. For example, if the workload is too much, you can delegate some tasks to your team members or ask for help from your peers or managers. If the deadlines are unrealistic, you can negotiate them or communicate the challenges and risks. If the conflicts are affecting your team, you can mediate them or seek support from HR.

2 Take care of yourself

The second step to deal with stress and pressure is to take care of yourself. You cannot be an effective supervisor if you neglect your physical, mental, and emotional health. You need to find ways to relax, recharge, and restore your energy and motivation. For example, you can practice breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga to calm your mind and body. You can also exercise regularly, eat well, sleep enough, and avoid substances that can harm your health. You can also pursue hobbies, interests, or activities that make you happy and fulfilled.

3 Seek feedback and support

The third step to deal with stress and pressure is to seek feedback and support. You do not have to face the challenges alone. You can reach out to your team members, peers, managers, mentors, or coaches for feedback and support. You can ask them for advice, guidance, or suggestions on how to improve your supervisory skills, handle difficult situations, or solve problems. You can also share your feelings, concerns, or frustrations with them and get their empathy, encouragement, or recognition. You can also join professional networks, groups, or forums where you can learn from other supervisors or experts.

4 Set boundaries and limits

The fourth step to deal with stress and pressure is to set boundaries and limits. You cannot do everything for everyone all the time. You need to respect your own time, space, and needs. You need to say no to requests, demands, or expectations that are unreasonable, unrealistic, or irrelevant. You need to communicate your availability, preferences, and priorities clearly and assertively. You need to balance your work and personal life and avoid overcommitting, overworking, or overscheduling yourself. You need to protect your energy, focus, and productivity.

5 Learn and grow

The fifth step to deal with stress and pressure is to learn and grow. You can turn the challenges into opportunities to improve your supervisory skills, knowledge, and experience. You can reflect on your actions, decisions, and outcomes and identify what worked well and what did not. You can learn from your mistakes, failures, or feedback and make adjustments or corrections. You can also seek new skills, information, or perspectives that can help you cope with stress and pressure better. You can also celebrate your achievements, successes, or improvements and reward yourself.

6 Seek professional help

The sixth step to deal with stress and pressure is to seek professional help. If the stress and pressure are too much to handle and affect your health, well-being, or performance significantly, you may need to consult a professional. You can seek help from a counselor, therapist, or psychologist who can provide you with emotional support, coping strategies, or treatment. You can also seek help from a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist who can prescribe you medication, supplements, or therapies. You can also seek help from a lawyer, accountant, or consultant who can assist you with legal, financial, or operational issues.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?