It’s Saturday night and you’re out of the special already, two people called in sick, the dishwasher isn’t working and you’ve got a line out the door. It’s one of those nights that makes everything look blurry. If you’re not stressed, then you’re not paying attention. But while all of us feel stress, many of us fail to manage it… and our jobs, our families, our teams, and our lives all suffer because of it.
Stress Control for Restaurant Managers
Here are some tips on how you can better manage the stress in your life:
- Recognize it. Many people don’t even know they’re stressed or how it’s affecting their bodies. Common symptoms include difficulty falling asleep, sweating, upset stomach, depression, headaches, lack of energy, relationship problems, weight gain or loss, frustration, and increased susceptibility to colds and other minor illnesses.
- Prepare for it. You can’t predict that the produce supplier will mess up the order, but you can cut down the search for a new supplier if your desk is organized and you aren’t flying through stacks of paperwork to find that order sheet. Reduce the clutter in all areas of your life, become as organized as you can and use a to do list or task manager app to keep track of what you need to do and set your priorities.
- Arm against it. It’s been said a million times before, but few take it to heart… eating right, exercising, meditating and resting, avoiding nicotine and too much caffeine, forming positive relationships, and spending enough free time are all critical to reducing the impact of stress on our lives.
- Work through it. When stressful situations occur, keep a positive attitude, engage in positive self-talk (“it’s going to be okay) and concentrate on your priorities. If you keep your eye on the big picture, the smaller everyday challenges won’t seem so important.
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