Feeling Stressed? 11 Things to Avoid Doing

Workplace stress is, unfortunately, extremely common. According to the third annual Work Stress Study by Harris Interactive on behalf of Everest Collect, 83 percent of Americans are stressed about work. This was a 10 percent raise from the year before, when the stress level was still high at 73 percent.

We’re all more stressed than ever. Another poll, this time by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Harvard School of Public Health, found 49 percent of people dealt with a stressful event in the last year. In the poll, workplace stress ranked third, directly below death of a loved one and illness and disease.

In the workplace, you need to keep your cool. Especially if you’re in a position of leadership or one where others look to you for guidance and advice. When things get stressful, you don’t have the option to fall to pieces if you want to move forward in your career.

If there’s one group of people who know about stress, it’s entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs share their insight into the 11 things to avoid doing, no matter how stressed you feel:

1. Getting Emotional

Emotion can kill clarity. The only way through a stressful situation is to gain clarity by removing emotion. Then, as one of my mentors says, you can do a 360-degree walk around of the situation and determine the best way to handle it. This mindset has been instrumental in handling tough decisions in our companies. – Peter Awad, GoodBlogs

2. Reacting Too Quickly

Your first reaction is not always the best one. You can really do some damage by reacting without thinking. Situations that are stressful are usually complicated and can take some time to sort through and really get to the root of the issue. – Laura Land, Accessory Export, LLC

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3. Taking It Out on Employees

As a leader, it's very important not to take out stress on employees. When you're under a lot of pressure it's easy to snap at people, especially if they've created the stress. But employee morale mirrors that of leadership, so it's important to remain calm and in control. Blowing up at an employee will cause negative ripples through your whole organization. – Jared Feldman, Mashwork

4. Not Thinking Before You Speak

Think before you speak. In these situations, you need to take a deep breath, gather your thoughts and choose your words carefully. – Sean Marszalek, SDC Nutrition, Inc.

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5. Playing the Blame Game

When a stressful situation arises we often have the knee jerk reaction of lashing out and looking for someone to blame. Instead, take a moment to reflect on how you contributed to the situation. What assumptions were made? What processes were undocumented? Where did communication fail? See how you can step up, take responsibility and guide your team to a better outcome next time. – Laura Roeder, MeetEdgar.com

6. Dwelling on Your Stress Level

Don't dwell on your stress level. Put your head down and work toward your goals. If you’re overwhelmed, do a handstand! Yes, I'm serious; it's hard to think about the stressful event when you’re on your head. Stay there for a minute, then get up and get back at it. – Matthew Moisan, Moisan Legal, P.C.

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7. Going to the Candy Aisle

In a stressful situation it may seem like chocolate, ice cream, or a large piece of cake is just what the doctor ordered! However, stress eating only leaves you feeling sluggish and off-balance from your normal routine. Before you pick up that much deserved candy bar, think about going for a long walk instead. Exercising releases endorphins, leaving you energized to conquer your stress. – Kim Kaupe, ZinePak

8. Working Extra

Don't just keep working. If you feel stressed, take a break. Whatever you are doing is probably counterproductive anyway. – Charles Moscoe, Earners Group

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9. Letting it Show

As a leader, you need to demonstrate a level of calmness and clarity for your team -- they look to you for that. However, it is important to vent this stress somehow. Confide in one of your personal relationships, such as your significant other or friends. They will be impartial to it and will be more than happy to cheer you up without expecting anything in return. – Andy Karuza, Brandbuddee

10. Panicking During Delicate Situations

During stressful moments, I step away from the situation and do something to expel the negative energy. Playing sports is very therapeutic for the mind, directs your attention toward performance and puts the stressful situation in the past. – Timothy Schmidt, WebsiteRescue

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11. Trying to Do it Alone

Don’t shoulder the burden all by yourself. Ask for help! – Robert J. Moore, RJMetrics

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These are the top results from a survey of entrepreneurs on the topic of handling workplace stress, provided by the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the world's most promising young entrepreneurs.

Image courtesy of Bernard Goldbach, Flickr

About Ilya Pozin:

Serial entrepreneur, writer and investor. Founder of Pluto.TV, Open Me, and Ciplex. Writer for Forbes and Inc. Husband 1x, father 2x, entrepreneur 3x. Follow Ilya below to stay up-to-date.