From job site to home: Learning real ways to handle stress
Being a union carpenter is more than a job. It’s a skill, a legacy, and a source of pride. But it’s also demanding. Long hours, tight deadlines, physical wear, and the pressure to deliver can take a toll. Add in family, money, and health stress, and it’s easy to feel stretched thin.
Work like this calls for strength—mental, emotional, and physical. And it brings stress, on and off the job. Managing it takes real tools and habits to help you stay steady, focused, and ready for what’s next.
It starts with knowing when stress is building. Watch for these signs:
Spotting the Signs of Stress
- Trouble sleeping or always feeling tired
- Getting irritated more easily
- Headaches, muscle tightness, or body tension
- More drinking than usual to take the edge off
- Feeling disconnected or numb
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not the only one. Stress doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means you’re human. Recognizing it and doing something about it is a sign of strength.
On the Job: Stress Management That Works
1. Breathe First, Respond Later
When stress hits—tight deadlines, last-minute changes, miscommunication—it’s easy to react. Take a few deep breaths to slow down your system and think clearly. Try this: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 6, exhale for 8. That pause can reset your approach.
2. Shift Your Mindset
How you see the problem shapes how it feels. If the day goes sideways, treat it as a chance to adjust—not a failure. Staying flexible keeps stress down and your head clear.
3. Share the Load
Stress weighs more when you carry it alone. Talk to someone on the crew or at the hall. A quick check-in can take pressure off and help you reset.
4. Stay Fueled and Hydrated
Running on empty makes everything harder. Water, food, and less caffeine go a long way in helping your body handle stress.
What happens after work matters too. Recovery isn’t extra—it’s part of the job.
Off the Job: Recovery Matters
1. Create a Wind-Down Routine
Leave work at work. Change clothes, take a hot shower, or go for a short walk. Small rituals help your brain switch gears so you can be more present at home.
2. Move Your Body (Without a Goal)
You’re active all day, but light movement—stretching, walking—helps release stress without pushing your limits.
3. Say What’s on Your Mind
You don’t have to fix everything. Just saying, “It’s been a lot lately,” can open the door to support. Talk to a partner, a friend, or someone you trust.
4. Protect Your Sleep
Sleep is where recovery happens. Keep your phone out of the bedroom, dim the lights early, skip alcohol late, and stick to a bedtime. Sleep isn’t lazy—it’s fuel.
You’re Not Alone
If stress piles up, getting support is a smart move. Talking to a therapist can help you find tools, direction, and relief.
The union offers free, confidential mental health care. No judgment—just real help when you need it. You’re the backbone of this work. Your mental health matters just as much.
If you would like to speak with a counselor about any challenge you are facing, resources are available.
In Kansas City, contact Carpenters Wellness Center-Kansas City at 816.884.9355 to make an in-person or virtual appointment with Jesse Sieve, Behavioral Health Specialist. Jesse works with participants and family members, 18 and older, as well as couples.
You may also contact Mercy’s MAP by calling 800-413-8008 #2. The MAP provides free, confidential, short-term counseling to participants and anyone that lives in their household.
