How to Cope with Workplace Stress in the Cannabis Industry

No matter where you live, what you do for a living, or how much money you make, life gets stressful. You’ve probably heard that some forms of stress are good and some are bad, but it’s important to learn how to cope with all stress. Even the “good” stress can cause us to react poorly at times. 

The cannabis industry isn’t immune to a stressful workplace. In fact, a booming industry with ever-changing mandates and hefty government oversight could be a major cause of stress. Stay ahead of it all with our tips for coping with workplace stress:
 

Figure out your triggers.

What about your job adds to your stress? What about your life outside of work adds to your workplace stress? By asking questions like these, you can pinpoint the main stressors in your life and learn to cope with them accordingly. 

Remember, some stressors are good, but sometimes our reaction to good stress is bad. Spend some time thinking about your stress triggers and how you react to get on track to coping better.
 

Learn to react better.

If you think about it, the causes of our stress really aren’t the problem. Our response to stress is the problem. This starts with determining how you respond to stress—both internal and external responses. 

Be honest with yourself. Then, come up with a better way to respond, and train your brain to default to that type of response. 
 

Create boundaries.

Even at work, boundaries are necessary. It may feel weird to say no to a project that is going to tip your stress levels over the edge, but it gets easier with time. You won’t keep your job if you say no to everything, but you may lose your mind if you say yes to everything. 

That’s why it’s important to figure out what triggers your stress, so you know where to draw the line.
 

Make time to relax. 

Stop saying “if” or “when”. Scheduling time for yourself is one of the most important appointments to add to your calendar. Don’t wait until you “find” the time to relax because it won’t happen. To do your best at work, you need to relax and recharge.

Figure out what gives you energy and what takes it away. You’ve probably heard people discuss the difference between introverts and extroverts—introverts need time alone to recharge while extroverts typically get their energy from other people. 

You are better equipped to handle stress when you have energy than when you feel worn down. Determine your energy sources and put them to good use!

Sometimes solving the workplace stress mystery is as simple as talking to your manager and shuffling things around. Nobody likes a whiner; don’t run to your boss every time you feel slightly overwhelmed. However, if there’s a common trend, it’s worth having a conversation.

For more helpful tips on how to incorporate de-stressing tactics in your cannabis workplace, get in touch with Greenleaf HR for a free consultation. For other ideas on how to amp up your people management, check out these articles.