We’ve all been there before. Stressed. Overworked. And feeling exhausted. Work can sometimes get the best of us and then leave us in a state of mind we really don’t enjoy all that much. But in all actuality, preventing the stress of work from overcoming your work-self and then following your personal-self home afterwards isn’t impossible.
Here’s what you should focus on.
Maintain Posture
The way you sit can affect your physical self just as much as it can affect your emotional self. When you control how you sit – the way your feet touch the ground, the degree your elbows rest in, and the straightness of your back – your body will feel normal at the end of the day. And it won’t feel like you’ve just been flattened by a steam roller and then dragged down a river. On top of that, when you maintain your posture, you’re more likely to feel productive and positive about the work you’re doing.
Breathe
Whether or not you want to break into a full-on yoga pose in the middle of the office is up to you. It’s not 100% necessary, but it can help reduce all that stress you tack on throughout the day. However, what is just as effective and not as embarrassing are simple breathing exercises. Here are a few techniques to consider.
Reduce Distractions
If there are too many distractions in your office, it can keep you from completing work or producing at the quality you’re capable of… both of which can lead to unwanted stress. So, of course, you should do your best to limit distractions. Pop in some headphones and turn up the music, and download a few distraction-blocking apps like RescueTime or Freedom.
Engage Coworkers
It might feel as though your coworkers can be a distraction, but at the same time, they can also save you from stress. If you engage with your coworkers during office hours, you’ll notice a few things. For starters, you might enjoy yourself more. A little social interaction never hurt anyone, right? On top of that, if you do become more friendly with your coworkers, they’ll be more willing to help you out when things start to pile up.
Take Breaks
If all you do is work, work, work, things won’t be pleasant for you. You’ll feel exhausted at the end of the day, and during the day, you may not even have the energy to work at all. Because of this, you should never skimp on your breaks (or food for that matter). Take your breaks strategically, and never miss your lunch hour. And if you can, take these breaks outside and with other people. A 10-minute walk down the street with a friend can help you break away mentally and relax.
Organize
The messier everything is, the more likely you are to feel stressed. And this can be anything from the mess of your to-do list to the mess of your desk. Keep things organized and under control. Always know what you have on your plate and do your very best to keep all your papers and pens in their rightful places. You’ll be surprised by how much a clean desk and structured to-do list can clear up all that mental clutter.
