Stress seems like it goes hand in hand with employment. However, this doesn’t need to be the case at all. If you’re feeling stressed in the office, there are a few things you can do to lower your anxiety and restore your stress levels to normal. These six tips can help you lower your stress at work.
Exercise
Sometimes we tell ourselves that we don’t have time to work out before or after our day at the office. However, making time to exercise is an important part of maintaining your overall health and lowering stress levels. If you can’t go to the gym try a workout video, take a walk around the block, or invest in a stationary bike at home.
Socialize
Grabbing lunch with coworkers is not only a great way to network but it gets you all out of the office and in a social environment where you can relax a little. If you don’t think you have time to go out to a local joint, order in and step away from your desks and into the break room to enjoy your food without the distraction of your phone or computer.
Stand up
There has been a lot of research lately on the benefits of standing desks. If you can’t refurnish your office, you can use these principles to change your posture while on the phone or conducting tasks that don’t require your computer. Standing up can help restore blood flow and ease the strain on your back from sitting in the same position for too long.
Email and phone rules
Whenever you hear the ping of a new email or your phone begins to ring, stop for just a moment before you answer either. Take a deep breath before picking up the phone. It can change your focus entirely. In regards to email, only look at it immediately if you are expecting a particularly important communication. Otherwise, set aside times during the day to read and respond to emails.
Listen to music
Sometimes having the radio on in the background can help ease the tension but you can take it one step further and focus on some of your favorite music instead. Songs you love release endorphins in the brain. Listen to your own iPod, CDs, or Pandora channels to tap into sounds that make you calmer.
Change your commute
Most of us want to get from our homes to our offices the fastest way possible. When you’re stuck in traffic, the anger begins to seep up into your shoulders and face leading to tension in your muscles, however. Once or twice a week, take a different route to work that avoids some of the major traffic. You may need to leave the house earlier but the scenic drive can help calm you down before you arrive to the office.
What other things can you do to lower your stress at work? If stress is causing your pain to flare up, you may need more advanced help. Give our office a call today to talk about stress-relief options.