It’s natural for work to leave you a little stressed but if it is becoming overwhelming it’s important to step back a bit and relax. Not very sure as to how to destress? Check out these tips.
Go for a walk
If you are in an office job and are sitting behind a desk all day, a good way to reduce stress is going for a short walk outside. Walking releases good endorphins to calm your nerves and relax your mind.
Deep Breaths
This is one of the best and easiest ways to de-stress at work. Concentrate on nothing but your breath for a couple of minutes to open your lungs and calm your mind. Do about 10 deep breaths to help you relax and you should find yourself less stressed.
Tidy your workspace
Your work area can have a major factor on your mood. Make sure that it is tidy with everything you need at hand. Try and decorate it with nice accessories and photos of your favourite places and people.
Stretch
A quick stretch of your arms and legs is very important to stay de-stressed and healthy. Stretching is of huge significance to those who are sitting for long periods at work. These stretches can be done easily at your desk. Just search YouTube for videos related to desk stretches.
Avoid too much caffeine
Caffeine in coffee and energy drinks can make you feel more stressed and jittery. Although caffeine will make you feel more alert and focused for a while it will soon wear off and you will hit a lull. If you drink a lot of coffee, try and reduce your consumption slowly rather than cutting it out at once. Try a non-caffeinated tea like peppermint tea as an alternative that can destress you.
Go for lunch
You might think that skipping lunch to finish necessary work tasks is a good idea but it is not. You will feel much more relaxed and happier if you take lunch. You will also come back more rejuvenated and focused for the afternoon ahead. Don’t eat your lunch at your desk as it will feel that you aren’t taking any break. Try and even get outside for 20 minutes to enjoy your lunch.
Learn to say no
Being constantly swamped with work the whole time will more than likely lead to stress. A lot of the time we feel we have to say “yes” to everything for fear we won’t be liked. One of the best ways to de-stress at work is to know when to say no. Say it in a polite manner but in a firm way that you are too busy working on a current project but once that is done you will be able to give time to their project.
Become friendly with co-workers
It may be that you feel alone at work and that no one is talking to you during the day that is getting you stressed. You don’t have to become best friends with your work colleagues but try and get to know them some bit. Try striking up a chat on a tea break or lunch. At least then you have somebody to talk to about any troubles you are having at work.
We cannot eliminate or escape stress in the workplace. It is a fact of modern life. However, we can reduce stress in all areas of our lives by making a few simple changes in our lives.
