Mergers, hostile takeovers and even a change in supervisor can create stress for employees at all levels of the organizational chart. Suddenly, work that was perfectly acceptable to one boss demands multiple revisions from another. Coworkers are getting pink slips. The exact same protocol used for five years is rendered unacceptable. In a climate of layoffs and economic uncertainty, how employees manage their stress levels can be just as important as the caliber of work produced.

Recognize Your Role
If the accounting department is switching procedures from FIFO to LIFO but your work is in supply chain management, do not stress. Identifying the changes of one department and cross-applying it to another creates undue worry that could be avoided. Should your department be directly affected by the organization change, give the boss reason to view your work performance as an asset to the company. Focus on the task at hand, and if changes are causing ambiguity about your new job function, ask questions. Show interest and a desire to do the new task well.

View Change as Opportunity
The best employees are resilient during difficult times. If organization changes are causing a higher workload for your coworkers or managers, offer your assistance. Displaying stress and a negative attitude can leave a lasting impression on the boss. According to staff writer Anthony Balderrama of careerbuilder.com, "Habitual negativity is a problem because it can quickly become your trademark and overshadow any accomplishments." By displaying a proactive attitude and positive demeanor, your job performance could be seen as an asset to the company amid change.

Find Outlets for Stress
Signs of stress include headaches, difficulty sleeping, apathy and withdrawal. If you experience any of these symptoms, a few remedies are available. Exercise is a healthy, productive way to cut tension. Find time before work to take the dog for a walk or complete a short exercise video. Using work breaks to take a quick stroll around the building is another way to incorporate exercise into the workday. An improvement in diet is second method to reduce stress. Dr. Nazario of WebMD.com suggests eating more oranges, whole wheat bread, spinach and drinking black tea to combat stress. By affecting the brain chemicals through diet and exercise, the body can better cope with stress.

Keep a Positive Perspective
At the end of the day, the amount of revenue calculated pales in comparison to the importance of health, family, friends and personal relationships. Draw on these underlying principles for strength during stressful times at work. Any time spent outside of the office should be used relating with loved ones or spent on enjoyable hobbies. By strengthening your identity outside of the office, you are better equipped to handle stress in the work place.

Watch Your Words
While venting is important, saying inappropriate, negative comments about others could be detrimental to your career. Be mindful that anything said about your boss could be relayed to him later. While you might perceive your conversation with a fellow coworker as innocuous, be mindful of how another might interpret it. Save such dialogue for someone completely detached from your work--a spouse, friend, or even dog is a better outlet than anyone in the office. Higher stress levels can create a potential gossip pitfall. Don't fall for it.