You're feeling overwhelmed by demanding team members. How can you set clear boundaries to reduce stress?

First, recognize the signs that you’re feeling overwhelmed. These might include fatigue, irritability, or a sense of being constantly behind. By identifying these signals early, you can take proactive steps to address the issue before it escalates.

Effective management of stress requires the ability to identify its symptoms. Chronic muscle tension brought on by stress can cause discomfort and uneasiness. High levels of stress can interfere with sleep cycles, making it difficult to get a good night's sleep. Stress can cause tension headaches and migraines. Stress can impact the parasympathetic nervous system, which may result in digestive problems. Stress can cause faster breathing patterns. An elevated heart rate is a physiologic indicator of stress. Stress can alter the size of your pupils. Another sign of stress is experiencing parched lips. Colour changes in your skin may be an indication of stress.

Reducing misunderstandings and preserving positive relationships depend on effective communication. Know your goals and your target audience before you start speaking. A defined goal is the first step toward clarity. Shortness has great power. Get straight to the point and omit any extraneous stuff. Your communication should be clear and concise. Before you talk or write, arrange your ideas. To make sure you are clear, outline what you want to communicate. Pay attention to the tone you use. A tone that is kind and courteous promotes greater comprehension. Pay attention to what others are saying. Recognize their viewpoint and give a considered response. Recall that effective communication strengthens bonds and lowers stress.

Next, communicate your boundaries clearly to your team members. Let them know your availability, preferred communication methods, and any limits on your time. Clear communication helps set expectations and ensures that everyone understands your boundaries, reducing the likelihood of miscommunications and overcommitments.

Prioritizing tasks is crucial to managing your workload effectively. Identify the most important and urgent tasks and focus on completing them first. This approach helps you allocate your time and energy efficiently, ensuring that critical responsibilities are addressed without being overwhelmed by less important demands.

Learning to say no is a key skill to reduce stress. This can be hard if you have a pattern of being a people pleaser or caregiver. Niceness can lead to overload and overwhelm for you, leaving you with insufficient time and energy to meet your priorities and responsibilities. It is okay to say no or suggest an alternative resource when it is outside your responsibility, beyond your skills, or greater than your available time. (Or you get that feeling...) You can focus and work more effectively. You encourage personal accountability for the other person. You protect your time and energy, saving it for loved ones & yourself. Calmly & assertively saying no can lead to the best outcomes. Everyone carrying their load most benefits the team.

Learning to say no is essential when managing demanding team members. Politely but firmly decline tasks or requests that fall outside your capacity or priorities. Saying no can prevent you from taking on too much and allows you to focus on your existing responsibilities.

Don’t hesitate to seek support from supervisors, colleagues, or a mentor. Discuss your challenges and ask for guidance or assistance in managing demanding team members. Support from others can provide valuable perspectives and solutions, making it easier to set and maintain boundaries.

Effective time management is key to reducing stress. Use tools like calendars, to-do lists, and project management software to organize your tasks and schedule. Allocate specific times for focused work, meetings, and breaks to ensure a balanced and productive day.