Great Strategies to Beat Stress at Work
If you've never been stressed at work, you ought to tell us your secret. Even when you love what you do, there's always some stressful situation creeping in, which can deviate your attention from important tasks.
There's nothing that can be done to prevent stress, but there is a lot you can do to manage it, so you can achieve the level of productivity you aim for every day, feeling fulfilled at work. Calming your mind might be simpler than you thought.
Here are some simple and effective ways to help you combat stress.
Get Up and Stretch
Sitting at a desk for long hours will tighten your neck, put pressure on your back and legs, and that could trigger headaches. Break the cycle by standing up and getting a little stretch time in. Take a walk around your building or go outside for a bit. You can also stretch in your office. You won't need much space. Just set up your alarm to remind you to get up and do a simple stretching routine. It will get your blood flowing and help you de-stress.
Take Your Work Outside
Being surrounded by nature can be highly beneficial and help you lower stress levels. Find a spot you like, whether it is outside your office building, at home in your back yard or even your favorite coffee shop, and work from there a few times a week, or whenever you feel like you need to take a breather. Use that time to respond to emails, review documents, or anything that doesn't require you to be in the office.
Swap Your Coffee for Tea
Coffee is high in caffeine, which is excellent in the morning, but it's not as great for you if you're feeling anxious, as it can boost that feeling. Reach for tea, instead. Tea still provides some caffeine, but not as much as coffee, and can help reduce inflammation.
Sleep It Out
Sometimes all you need is a power nap. You don't need to be at home to do this. If there's a break room in your office, go there, or take a nap in your car. A quick 10 to 20-minute nap can help you gain a little energy and release stress.
Put On Some Good Music
Music is known for having soothing powers. Listening to music while working is a great way to decrease stress hormones. It also helps increase productivity and boosts creativity!
Do Breathing Exercises
It may sound crazy, but breathing exercises do work. Deep breaths bring in more oxygen to the body. All you need to do is inhale slowly through your nose, fill your lungs all the way up, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. Do this 5 to 10 times, and you'll start noticing how stress seems less every time.
When you run your own business, it can be easy for stress to pile on. It's hard to be efficient when your mind is taken over by stress. Managing it will help you increase productivity and make you feel good! What other strategies do you use to fight stress?