It is ironic that one of the major pitfalls of the leisure and hospitality industry is the stress many of its employees face. Stress is present in all other sectors as well, but not is as significant as in the hospitality industry where it is difficult to openly show true feelings in view of guests and clients.
Hospitality jobs often involve long, irregular hours, as well as time away from families on important holidays. When most people are de-stressing and relaxing, people in hospitality jobs are working. In tourism concentrated zones that are seasonal, it also leads to a floating workforce and temporary jobs, which often contribute to stress in those looking for more permanent positions.
However, the industry is such that happy – and essentially ‘de-stressed’ – employees make happy clients, which translates to better business. At all levels, it is important to first recognise the warning signs of stress and burn-out so you can deal with them effectively and to the best of your ability.
Generally, you will notice that you are irritable, feel a loss of interest in work you otherwise enjoy, have problems sleeping, are often tired and have trouble concentrating. Physically, you might also suffer from headaches and eating problems and feel like coping with alcohol, smoking or even drugs.
One way to reduce stress is to take care of yourself. Personally, you can ensure you get regular exercise, which has been known to release the natural hormone endorphins which trigger positive feelings in your body and help dispel depression. Eating well is invaluable to being healthy and reducing stress levels – small, frequent meals keep you energised, help you focus and make you happy.
It’s best to try and get at least eight hours of rest a day by removing anything that might disturb your sleep – such as shutting off the television, or closing the door to cut off the noise of domestic life if you generally rest during the day. Try to reduce alcohol intake and avoid nicotine as they increase anxiety.
On the job, time management can go a long way to getting your job done in minimal amount of time. Try to prioritise tasks, delegate responsibility, break down projects and take regular short breaks to recharge your batteries. Be nice to colleagues and they, in turn, will return the favour, thus leading to a relatively stress-free work environment. Learn how to compromise with others on tasks to avoid heated arguments.
When dealing with difficult guests, arguing is not an option – it paves the way for problems with superiors and can hurt business. Most guests want someone to listen to their problem and get it off their chest. Empathise with them and apologise for any inconvenience it may have caused them – whether or not it was your fault.
Try to solve the problem as best you can without saying ‘no’ directly. There could be various options to placating a distraught guest, even if their initial demand might seem unreasonable.
Stress also arises from circumstances beyond your control – such as harassment or overloading of work. In such cases, particularly the first one, approach your team leader or superior and speak up about it. They are trained to respect your privacy and ensure your grievances are addressed. Talking to someone you trust, even outside of work, can help you vent off some steam and make you feel better.
Finally, ensure that you take the days off entitled to you. On these days, rest, relax and spend time with loved ones, and do things unrelated to your work day.