Plan better

The first step in managing stress is making sure that the project is being managed effectively and that means not skipping the planning stage. Making sure the right amount of planning goes into every aspect of the project is key.

Planning is a major topic within project management qualificationsand is a skill that many potential employers will look for. What planning effectively does is allow gaps of time where you can review what is happening and what needs to change or improve, perfect for keeping stress under control. 

Learn to say ‘no’ (and mean it)

A key skill for any project manager to master from the outset is when to say yes and when to say no. Taking on too much is a precursor to stress which can become all-consuming. Effectively, this is about recognising your own limits as well as the limits of your team. 

Passing on stress or responsibility is not conducive to effective team working. Better to say no and share your rationale than say yes, setting yourself and your team up to fail. 

Laugh as a team

There is a saying that “laughter is the best medicine” and surprisingly, this is based on fact. Psychologists have confirmed that an effective tool for team management and cohesion is laughter. It produces ‘good’ reactions within the brain and our nervous system, creating the perfect backdrop for bonding between team members.

Aside from laughing yoga, simply spending time as a team away from the day to day stresses of the project and allowing people to talk and laugh together – you included! – is perfect for keeping stress level under control.

Rest more

Projects are relentless or can be, something that the Parallel Project Trainingteam are all too well aware of. When there is the drive to finish ahead of time and within budget, the project can saturate your every waking hour.

The important thing is to make sure you allow time to step back but that you also get the rest you need to rejuvenate mind, body and soul. Tiredness fuels stress because it can fuel poor decision making based on confused rationale and logic.

Take breaks

With so much to accomplish, taking a break seems futile. And yet that five minutes away from your desk, constantly ringing mobile or a lunch break sat in the sunshine can do so much more for restoring your energy levels and keeping stress under control that you need to make time to take a break. 

Stay healthy

Stress depletes everything from our physical capabilities to our emotional capacity to deal with everything from excitement to yet another issue on site. Staying healthy means looking after your body by eating the good stuff and ditching the take outs, keeping alcohol intake under control whilst also nurturing your mental health. 

Stress can be a killer. What do you do to keep it at bay?