Pick up ways to cope with workplace stress

At its monthly Women in Business luncheon, the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce presented a panel of experts who gave tips on managing stress in the workplace.

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ANGELA ALBERTINI, an agency owner for Allstate Insurance Co., is stressed out by trying to meet her quota at work.

"Quoting against my competition is my biggest stress, especially in auto insurance. We're required to make so many sales," she said.

She deals with her stress with deep breathing, breaks, occasional massages and playing with her dogs or reading at home.

REBECCA BEST, the director of marketing at Serotta Maddocks Evans & Co. CPAs, experiences stress when trying to "manage people."

"Part of my job is to make sure everybody gets where they need to be on time or have what they're supposed to have, such as business cards or name tags," Ms. Best said.

To reduce her stress, she uses planning and makes lists to check off completed tasks. She also reads motivational quotes.

NANCY KOTTI, the manager of the adult operating room at Medical College of Georgia Hospital, becomes stressed out when dealing with emergencies that alter the schedule and staffing needs.

"You have to make sure you have what you need when you need it for the patient," Ms. Kotti said.

She copes by trying to prioritize tasks and always putting her patients first.

The presenters had suggestions for ways to deal with workplace stress:

STEVE HOBBS, a professor in the Department of Psychology at Augusta State University, recommends keeping a diary of stress-related symptoms, identifying the source of stress, confronting your problems, laughter and managing your physical health (eating, sleeping and exercise).

NICOLE PAMINTUAN, the director of education at the Augusta School of Massage, suggests massage therapy because it "reprograms your body to rest and relax." To make sure you're getting your money's worth, it's important to ask where the therapist received his or her certification, she said.

CINDY FOSTER, a licensed clinical psychotherapist at the Augusta Institute of Hypnotherapy, urges clients to pay attention to their thoughts and feelings and to understand the physiological impact of stress. She recommends deep breathing, which calms the autonomic nervous system.