Reducing Stress At Work
Inhale, Exhale……
Sorry I can’t meet you for lunch today because I have so much to catch up on. Does this sound familiar? Do you find yourself saying that TODAY you will go for a walk during your lunch break or TODAY you will eat lunch outside and enjoy a little fresh air? I personally tend to do this about 3-4 days a week and sometimes when Friday rolls around I simply promise myself that next week I will make more time for a healthy break away from my desk. If I am being honest, I typically break the promise to myself again the following week. I guess I will give it another try next week! People tend to focus on working as hard or as fast as they can and forget to take some time away from the chaos. We all get caught up in the rush of deadlines, the emails, the constant interruptions and not to mention the long list of projects we need to start. In a recent Forbes article, a study explained that if we have about 90 minutes of intense concentration, followed by a brief period of recovery, we can clear the buildup of stress and rejuvenate ourselves. Below are some easy tips to help reduce stress:
Break time
Take several small breaks throughout the day and walk around your building. This will help clear the brain and promote circulation throughout the body. I recommend taking a brief rest break every 60 minutes, even to go get a drink of water. Listening to your body and paying attention to your stress levels will help determine when you should take a break.
Eat out
Take time away from your desk to eat lunch elsewhere. Whether it be the break room or even outside, it’s nice to eat in peace away from your distracting desk. Allowing yourself the chance to get away from a stressful work environment, will in turn provide you with more energy. Doing something relaxing for lunch can be both motivating and invigorating. Studies find that people who work through lunch breaks are often more fatigued towards the end of the day.
Breathe
When you get that frustrated feeling and want to scream (it’s ok to admit it, we all feel that way sometimes), it’s best to focus on your breathing. Breathe through the nose and out the mouth. You would be surprised at how helpful this tip is. Just 90 seconds of slow deep breaths can help you refocus.
Just say NO
Try to avoid interruptions! This may sound impossible, but if you can help avoid an interruption, it will do some serious stress alleviation. It’s ok to just say no! The next time you are in the middle of that email or proposal and someone comes up to your desk for something that isn’t on fire, ask them to email you their request. Let them know how much you would love to help them out, but that you have a deadline to handle first. Or better yet, schedule a quick meeting.
Close your email
There is nothing wrong with closing email to focus on those projects that need attention or to get ready for a meeting. It’s best to completely close your email program and not just minimize the window. The constant email notification can be quite the distraction and let’s face it, who can say no to opening that email? It’s just as bad as trying to say no to that delicious pastry in the lunch room. If you don’t see the email, then you won’t be as tempted.
As soon as this blog is done I plan to walk around the building for 15 mins and step out to pick up lunch. That small break will do me wonders to tackle the rest of my day. I hope that as you read this you remember to just breathe when you need it and take care of yourself. If you are tense and stressed you will not be of benefit to anyone, let alone yourself. Remember to take care of you!
Inhale, exhale….
Written by Paula Smith, Services Coordinator at DSD Business Systems
