Work can be challenging, but if you’re in a constant state of stress throughout your day, you might want to take a step back to de-stress and clear your mind. If you carry your stress home with you, it can affect not only your mental health but your physical health, as well. We’ve developed some low-effort activities for you to do if you feel overwhelmed or stressed at work.
Why is it important?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, chronic and routine stress can cause many health problems and change the normal functions of your immune, digestive and sleep systems. Different people experience stress in different ways, but if your body is exposed to routine stress, this can cause serious problems, like high blood pressure and anxiety. It’s very important to be aware of it and be kind to your mental and physical health.
1. Start early
Waking up early, even if it’s 20 minutes before your usual time can do wonders. Not only can you practice mindfulness during this time, but you can prioritize your tasks, do some stretches, or get ready at a leisurely pace. Studies show that if you’re rushed and hurried in the morning, it can make you feel stressed and cluttered throughout the day. Getting up earlier helps put your thoughts and actions together.
2. Avoid screens during your break times
A lot of the work we do is digital and often requires being stuck to a computer for 8 hours every day. The amount of time we spend looking at screens can cause many issues - not only does it contribute to eye strain and headaches, but it can also cause an unnatural addiction to laptops, tv’s and smartphones. Because of this, we suggest taking breaks away from your laptops and engage with coworkers, or take a brisk walk to clear your mind. This will give you a great reminder to have those important social interactions throughout your day!
3. Use a planner or a calendar app
Using a planner can help you prioritize your tasks and organize them throughout the day. Use different bullet points for different tasks depending on how urgent or how minor they are. You can also write down future projects or break a project down day by day, so it isn’t too overwhelming. We also recommend utilizing apps like Google Calendar that connect to all your smart devices. Pro tip: Tackle your most difficult projects first, as you’re more motivated and awake to do it in the beginning of the day.
4. Just breathe
Although this tip may seem simple, breathing can be very beneficial for your mind and body. It’s one of the best ways to reduce overall stress and anxiety. There are many different types of breathing exercises you can do. One simple one includes sitting in a comfortable and upright position and breathing deeply from the nose, and exhaling from the mouth. Doing this 10 times will distribute oxygen throughout your body and provide you overall relaxation.