Job stress?!

Job stress?

how do you cope with job stress? i am in counseling right now for depression and i also just have lots of mood swings and racing thoughts. (i'm not looking for a diagnosis...just letting you know where things stand)

my boss fired my friend today, for no real reason except she said it was too hard to schedule him anymore. i think this is unreasonable and it makes me mad.

how do i go into work tomorrow and stay calm? stuff like this is very hard for me, it makes my relationships suffer. it's a family business and i don't want to speak to anyone who runs it right now. but they will ask me why i'm not talking and i don't want to get real mad, because i could get fired.

2 weeks ago
jacko... my web browser won't open that page... do you have a different link i could try?

Beyond doing relaxation techniques, you should take some time to evaluate the future. Is this a job you can see yourself in for the next 20 years (my guess is 'no'). If not, why aren't you elsewhere. My guess (and I could be wrong) is that you are either unsure of what you want to do or you don't feel like you have the qualifications to do whatever it is that you want to do.

Find something outside of work that you can go to in your mind when your job is driving you crazy. It could be a hobby, but the most effective thing is if you are working toward your future outside of work... taking a class, learning a skill (even if it is a hobby - like woodworking or home remodelling - like the classes that they do at home depot). If you know you won't be there forever, it won't seem so unbearable. If you know that you are qualified enough that finding a new job will be a snap, you won't have any problem being assertive (being aggressive, sarcastic, or mean will never get you ahead, so you might want to start with an Interpersonal Communications course at your local community college, tech school, or university - even if you 'klep' it - meaning take it for no grade).

You might also find that going to church on the weekend helps - not only socially, but to be around people who know that there is something more important than the day to day garbage that we all have to deal with (hmmm. maybe I should take my own advice).

Finally, having outside interests and skills will definitely help on that lovely day when you decide that you just can't take it anymore and turn in your two weeks notice. Maybe you'll even be doing it to run your own business. Wouldn't that be awesome!