Work and Stress Help

I wish this were an article that would give you the perfect advice on how to manage stress at work. Instead it’s really an opportunity for me to express my frustrations and to see if anyone out there has some ideas that they can share.

Over the past year I have really struggled with managing my stress at work. I’ve always had demanding jobs and I know that I like to be busy but usually you get a balance of the hectic times with some not-so-hectic times.

This enables you to cope as you know that you’ll get a break at some point. But my job has just not stopped and I am now working harder than I ever have. Coupled with modern technology that allows you to be contacted at any point, download emails at any time, any place it feels like you are working 24-7.
 
Many people have told me to have a rule to not access emails outside of working hours and on weekends – but if I did that I’d never be able to manage the amount of work in normal working hours, so I don’t see how this is the answer? I’ve also tried to push back and express my concerns to my manager, but at the same time I know that I have to get involved, be a part of new projects and raise the bar if I want to advance my career.

It just feels like there really isn’t an easy answer. I know that ultimately I control the situation, and that no job is worth my health, which is absolutely being effected as a result of working too much. But it’s hard to step back and assess the situation when you feel you don’t even have time to breathe.

So no great answers as I mentioned up front, and I’m sure that there are plenty of you out there in similar situations. It just feels at times like everything in this modern world is getting faster and more demanding – How far can we keep pushing ourselves before we break?