Stress in the workplace can have devastating effects on mental health and productivity. From Dr Mark Winwood, Director of Psychological Services for AXA PPP healthcare, sets out his top tips for how to manage stress.

1: Start by doing some very basic wellness checks – do you need to increase your exercise, improve your diet, or get more sleep? Fairly simple changes in these three areas can improve your outlook and ability to cope with stressful situations at work.

2: Challenge your thinking – do you find yourself taking a negative perspective on work issues, could there be a more balanced view? Take some time to focus on the positive – what are your strengths and what have you achieved?

3: Make sure you give yourself some time to relax.  This is especially important at times of big change, such as starting a new job or taking on a new role and/or added responsibilities.

4: Think about what you have the power to change in your current circumstances and prioritise these things, rather than worrying about areas you can’t control.

5: Make lists and plan workloads – by ticking jobs off your list you’ll start to feel a bit more in control.

6: Duvet days don’t pay – Don’t just avoid work, chances are your workload will increase while you’re off and add to your troubles.

7: Identify the real problem. It is important to think about what‘s making you want to phone in sick. Are you afraid of failing? Sometimes we’re our own worst critics.  Think about what you’d say to a friend or a colleague in the same situation. Would you be as hard on them as you are on yourself?

8: Look at some of the great resources that can help you build resilience.  There are many useful books and websites that offer tools for coping with stress.

9: Don’t ignore the people who care most about you – Call on friends and family members that you have around you – asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength.

10. Most importantly, if you’re having trouble at work, don’t bottle things up. It’s helpful to share your concerns, so speak to your manager or a supportive colleague.