According to the ADAA, workplace stress is exponentially increasing. 72% of people who experience daily stress say it interferes with their lives. Over half of these people report that this stress interferes with their workplace performance and quality of work. Are you one of these people? We’ve collected a list of nine ways you can reduce stress at work.
1. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
First and foremost, you can’t relax if you’re not healthy. You will make yourself more vulnerable to stress if you are tired or hungry or thirsty. Therefore, make sure you get enough sleep at night (adults need between 6 and 8 hours of sleep every night). Eat breakfast (I know, this one’s hard), and refuel throughout the day with healthy snacks (I suggest pretzels and hummus or nuts, because protein gives you the most energy). Lastly, drink enough water. Every person needs a different amount of water, but eight glasses of water every day is a good goal.
2. DEEP BREATHING
If you’re stressed, taking deep breaths can help slow your heart rate and relax your tense muscles. This is a good idea if you find yourself temporarily overwhelmed. Taking a few moments to yourself to regulate your breathing can help you stay productive and stress free.
3. SPOTIFY PLAYLISTS
Music can help regulate our moods, and listening to music while you work will help relax you. Try Spotify or Pandora. They’re both free, and you can choose from a large list of premade playlists or “radios” that are specifically designed for workplace productivity and stress release.
4. GET RID OF DISTRACTIONS
DIstractions are my downfall. It’s hard to get work done if you’re taking phone calls, talking to coworkers, or on social media websites. As a result, stress creeps in. Shut your door to let your coworkers know that you need some time alone, put your cell phone on silent, and focus. There are even extensions you can download for Chrome that will block websites like Facebook for a certain period of time while you get work done.
5. SCHEDULE/PLAN/PRIORITIZE
When we don’t have a schedule or plan, we can get stressed and overwhelmed at the amount of work we need to get done. Take a few minutes at the beginning of your day to jot down everything you’d like to get done. Then, prioritize these tasks. I like to choose three tasks that need to get done, and rate the rest of my tasks based on the amount of time they will take. Tackle the biggest tasks first, and work your way down.
6. USE A DIFFUSER
Our senses can affect our mood. Just like music helps relax us, so can scents. Using a diffuser or candle to spread a relaxing scent in the air (like lavender or peppermint) can help us stay focused and less stressed. Make sure you or your coworkers don’t have allergies or severe reactions to candles.
7. TAKE A WALK
Sometimes, our stress is so high that we need to remove ourselves from our environment to relax. Taking a walk when you’re stressed will help you get some fresh air (try the deep breathing!), and will provide a great distraction to whatever is stressing you out. You can come back to your desk refreshed and ready to go.
8. PLAY A GAME
Download a fun app to play when you need a mini break. My favorites are Sudoku and Best Fiends. Take five minutes to solve a puzzle or play a quick game, and you’ll feel less stressed. Just be sure that the game doesn’t become a detrimental distraction - it’s easy to get sucked into these and waste time!
9. ELIMINATE IT ISSUES
When technology is stressing you out, don’t try to solve it yourself. IT issues are the number one reason for workplace stress, because when your computer fails, you can’t do your job. Let your IT support or managed service provider take care of these issues for you. They’re more likely to get it done quicker, and you can get back to work as soon as possible.
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5 OUTLOOK TRICKS TO MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER |
