Working for a nonprofit can be fun, rewarding and even life-changing. But it can also be very stressful and lead to burnout if the stress is not managed well. Understanding what triggers your stress and how to manage it is imperative to your self-care plan.

Stress can be triggered by various things in the workplace and what causes stress for one person may differ dramatically for another. And it can affect more than just your anxiety levels. Stress can affect your ability to make sound decisions and solve problems.

Be aware of your stress triggers

Knowing what triggers your stress levels is the first step. Is it the deadlines, the stretched resources available to you or the inability to raise fund? Is it the late working hours or the lack of overall management? Is it the demanding client work or the emotional crisis situations you are subjected to on a regular basis? Once you understand what sets off your stress, then you can look to take control of your situation.

Do something which relaxes you

We are all guilty of working through the lunch period, but if you work for a nonprofit, it is better to have a break – even if only for 15-20 minutes. There are many benefits to taking time for yourself to relax. You can read a good book while enjoying lunch or go for a gentle walk. Doing something other than work will give your mind time to unwind. Always try to avoid eating at your desk wherever possible.

Always leave work with a clean desk

Leaving the office with a clean desk, regardless of how your day has gone, will set you off on the right foot the following day. Put your bits and pieces in your drawer, stack the paper in the in and out trays and wipe the desk down with some kind of cleanser. These simple motions can act as a relaxant in itself and ensure that your mind is not affected by a cluttered desk.

Practice deep breathing techniques

Doing some simple breathing techniques at regular intervals throughout the day will help relax the body and distress the mind. When we are stressed our bodies tense up, particularly the areas in our neck and shoulders. Simple breathing techniques combined with gentle stretches can help release some of the physical tension caused by your workplace demands.

Increase your daily exercise

Increasing your daily exercise can be a great stress reliever. Squeezing in a short brisk walk, a jog, doing some yoga exercises or hitting a gym close to work during or after a work day can lift your mood and improve your performance. Even bike riding or swimming can improve your mental health dramatically.

Stress management is a definite skill which you need to tap into when working for a nonprofit due to the nature of the field alone. And even with all of these new technological developments, the demands placed on us seem to be increasing. While you may not be able to avoid stress in its entirety, you can work to lower it.