You're a network administrator with a high-stress job. What are the best ways to manage it?

1 Identify the sources of stress

Identifying what causes stress is the first step to managing it for network administrators. Common sources of stress can include unrealistic expectations from managers or clients, lack of resources, support, or training, frequent interruptions or emergencies, long or irregular hours, conflicting or unclear priorities, and a high level of responsibility and accountability. Once you know what triggers your stress, you can attempt to address it or avoid it by communicating your needs and limits to stakeholders, seeking help or feedback when needed, delegating or automating tasks, and setting boundaries for your availability.

2 Develop healthy habits

The second step to managing stress is to develop healthy habits that can benefit your well-being. Getting enough sleep and rest, eating a balanced and nutritious diet, drinking plenty of water and limiting caffeine and alcohol, exercising regularly and staying active, practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation, breathing, or yoga, pursuing hobbies and interests that make you happy, and seeking social support from friends, family, or colleagues are all habits that can help reduce the negative effects of stress on your body and mind. Additionally, these habits can boost your mood, energy, and resilience.

3 Organize your work

The third step to managing stress is to organize your work in a way that reduces unnecessary pressure and increases efficiency. To do this, you should plan your tasks and projects ahead of time, prioritize the most important and urgent ones, and break down large or complex tasks into smaller and manageable ones. Additionally, you can use tools and software to track and manage your work, document your processes and procedures, create backups and contingency plans, and review and update your skills and knowledge. By employing these methods, you can avoid procrastination, confusion, and mistakes while making your work more manageable and rewarding.

4 Learn to say no

The fourth step to managing stress is learning to say no when you are overwhelmed or overcommitted. This can be difficult, especially if you want to please others or prove yourself, but saying yes to everything can lead to burnout, resentment, and poor performance. Therefore, it is important to recognize when you need to say no; for instance, if you already have too much on your plate, if you are not qualified or comfortable with the task, if you are not given enough time or resources, if you are not aligned with the goal or value of the task, or if you have other commitments or obligations. Saying no can help protect your time, energy, and sanity and allow you to focus on the things that matter most.

5 Seek professional help

The fifth step to managing stress is to seek professional help if you feel that you are unable to cope with it on your own. Stress can lead to serious mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, if you experience persistent or severe feelings of sadness, anger, or fear; a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that you used to enjoy; difficulty sleeping, concentrating, or remembering things; changes in your appetite, weight, or energy level; thoughts of harming yourself or others; isolation or withdrawal from others; and/or substance abuse or addiction, consulting a mental health professional may be necessary. Seeking professional help is not a sign of weakness, but rather an indication of strength and courage. A mental health professional can help you understand and overcome your stress and provide you with the tools and strategies to cope with it.

6 Take a break

The sixth and final step to managing stress is to take a break from your work occasionally. This can help recharge your batteries, refresh your perspective, and restore motivation. Taking regular short breaks during the day, such as stretching, walking, or listening to music, can be beneficial. Additionally, taking longer breaks on weekends or holidays, like traveling, camping, or visiting friends, can help reduce stress. If possible, taking a sabbatical or career break to pursue other goals or interests may be beneficial. Moreover, if you are feeling unwell or overwhelmed, consider taking a sick leave or mental health day. Finally, taking advantage of employee benefits such as wellness programs, counseling services, or flexible work arrangements can help improve productivity, creativity, and satisfaction.

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?