The workplace can be stressful at times. Aside from having to deal with daily stressors from traffic to endless meetings, it is easy for one to get anxious over something, even the simplest of all. Workplace stress can have a huge impact on your performance and output, which is why we have outlined seven simple tips to help you manage the same.
- Progressive muscle relaxation
Simple but progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) can help induce muscle relaxation hence very efficient for reducing anxiety and stress. If you feel anxious or stressed out at work, take a minute or two to relax all your muscles (head to toes). You do not necessarily have to stand up or leave your workplace as you can do this while seated.
- Take deep breaths
Breathing right can also help you manage stress and anxiety altogether. According to research, breathing just right not only helps your brain but your heart and digestive system as well. The best way to ensure you are breathing just right is by inhaling deeply and letting it out slowly. Doing this helps improve oxygen levels in your blood, hence healthy for your body. Charles Hunter Associates wrote a very good post on relieving stress at work recently.
- Try Yoga
Yoga provides an excellent way for one to manage stress and depression comfortably. The good thing with this is that; you can do it almost anywhere (including the workplace); well, without the mat. You could practice slight yoga such as breathing techniques and connecting with your environment to push stress away.
- Listen to calming music
Listening to calm and relaxing music can be therapeutic at times. This is because it helps relax your mind from stressful situations by letting your mind wade away. If you are feeling a little low or stressed out while at work, plug in those earphones and listen to your favorite jams or music for some time.
- Try natural herbal remedies
Research conducted at the University of Maryland Medical Center on lavender shows that the lavender scent helps alleviate anxiety and stress. Using soothing perfumes from some of these natural remedies (on your clothes or handkerchief) can contribute to keeping you calm for the rest of the day.
- Laugh your heart out
Just because you are in the office does not mean you cannot enjoy some funny jokes and comics. Studies show that people who laugh often cope with stress much easier than those who rarely laugh at all. Laughing also reduces endorphin levels in your system, thus help your brain manage stress efficiently.
- Drink some green tea
Green tea contains many health benefits for the human body. According to research, both green and black tea helps lower blood cortisol levels, thus making it easy for you to manage anxiety with ease. You should, therefore, consider switching that cup of coffee for hot steaming tea.
- Play a Game
Sometimes, playing a quick game of something, or even doing a crossword, can be more than enough to help you relax. It helps you take your mind off of whatever’s causing the stress, and calm down for a while. You don’t even need to do it for too long for it to help.
