While some workplace stress is normal, too much stress can interfere with productivity, performance and even impact your life outside of working hours. In fact, if workplace stress is not kept in check, in can have a negative impact on your emotional health, physical health and even on your relationships.

The first thing you need to understand is that you can’t control everything in your work environment. This doesn’t mean you are powerless, even when stuck in a difficult situation, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from the damaging effects of stress. Shred Monkeys, your Orlando document scanning service, brings you ways you can deal with stress at the workplace.

Shift Your Mindset

One action you probably don’t do enough is to stop and take a few deep breaths when you are feeling tremendous pressure. In doing so, it helps calm you down and prevents you from saying something you might regret later which causes even more stress.

Then take a moment to consider how you are feeling, it helps to identify the emotions you are experiencing. Then consider what might make you feel better, like going for a short walk or listening to some music on your iPhone. Also, consider what you have done in the past that kept you calmer under stressful circumstances.

Get Organized

Researchers found that just looking at clutter around your desk can cause stress. You don’t have to be a neat freak, but stay as organized as possible to keep levels of stress low.

You also want to find a process in which you complete tasks or otherwise get things done at work. If the things you do at work are random because you have no system, you will become less productive and this will lead to stress. Try sorting things out by priority or date, any type of organization will help.

Forget About Goals That are Unrealistic

It is good to be ambitious, but sometimes we fall into a trap of setting goals that are way too high. This just discourages you when you fail to reach them. When you adjust your goals, you will have less stress and more exploration in the things you want to achieve. Being flexible is key.

Avoid Interruptions

Your level of stress will go down when you conduct your work without checking email, voice messages or answering your phone. Some of these are necessary to be sure, but if you have to, say, compose an important email, you will produce better work with less stress if you focus on the task at hand and ignore the flashing phone lights and blinking inbox.

This goes for interacting with co-workers as well. If you have to, make a little sign that states you are busy at the moment but we can talk later to let others know not to bother you. You will be surprised at how carefree it makes you feel.

Hang with Some Awesome People

The people you work with have a big impact on your level of satisfaction at work. If you hang with the wrong crowd, it could lead to more stress. Many workplaces have a chain-effect when it comes to how workers mingle. If you are hanging with people who are constantly complaining, you aren’t doing yourself or your stress very good. You should instead hang with people who are supportive, chill and just plain fun to be around.

Schedule Some Chill Time

Most of you go through the day with your heads down and noses to the grindstone, so to speak. When you take a break, you wind up in the break room talking to Bob, who is griping about the boss, his coworkers and the fact he has to stay late to finish a project. Either that or you remain at your desk and check Facebook posts or your Twitter feed. What you need to do is listen to some calming music or take a short walk on your break, it will make you feel better.

It is important that you deal with stress at work as the toll it takes on you will follow you home. When you bring your stress levels down, you will be a happier and more productive person.