Time to sidestep stress at work

Do you ever wish you could glide through the working day without a worry in the world? How about getting to the end of the day with plenty of energy so that you can go out there and enjoy your free time? The good news for you is it’s actually not as hard as you might think.

There are so many subtle changes and tweaks you can make to your working day to beat stress that you’re going to be amazed by the bright ideas that follow. Let’s dive right in!

Stress-free work begins the night before

Leave your phone downstairs, set a standalone alarm clock, and invest in a sleep mask to block out any light pollution. The result will be the deep, restful sleep your body has been crying out for all these years. Once you get into a rhythm, you’ll find that nothing can stop you. Ideal when you want to be able to set the tone for a stress-free day at the office by laying the foundations the night before.

Combine confidence and comfort

What you wear to work doesn’t just say a lot about you — it also helps put you in the right frame of mind. If you make sure that you dress up a little compared to what you would wear when relaxing at home, you’ll be sending signals to your brain that now it’s time to really focus. 

Something as simple as creating your own standard work uniform or outfit can help make this part of the day so much simpler. You won’t have to choose or feel like you’re rushing in the morning because you’ll have known days in advance that you need to put a wash on.

Stay hydrated at your desk

Hydration is key when you want to be able to focus and get creative, and it’s also one of the simplest ways to keep stress at bay. If you make sure that you always have a 1 L bottle of chilled water nearby, you’ll find you naturally start to sip it and enjoy it. 

Keeping your brain hydrated will make sure your energy levels remain high so that you can constantly push that little bit harder, but without feeling like you’re working any harder. As it becomes a habit you practice throughout the day, you’ll soon notice the difference in the form of higher energy levels when you get home in the evening.

Healthy snacks are brain fuel

We all love carbs and sweet treats, but our brain never thanks us for them. The problem is that if you’ve never tried something else you just won’t be aware of how much better you can feel by switching to a healthier snack option. Have a small pack of nuts in your bag or on your desk and you’ll be able to keep hunger at bay the natural way. The oils inside each nut will boost your brainpower and allow you to avoid those dreaded sugar and caffeine crashes everyone else in the office is wrestling with.

Remember to breathe

It’s perfectly natural if you’re not best friends with everyone at work, and there’s no shame in finding certain meetings or interactions more stressful than you would like. The key is to be kind to yourself and to give yourself that little bit of extra time and space that can make all the difference. 

Before firing off an angry email or complaining about someone chasing you up with too much energy, take 30 seconds to breathe. Box breathing where you constrain breathes in and out to 4-6 seconds each will help you slow things down and dampen that stress-inducing adrenaline that’s hitting your bloodstream. Slowing down for a few seconds at the point stress starts to show its face will save you so much energy later on in the day.

Get your blood moving

Sitting in a fixed position for hours at a time is something millions of us do without thinking about it, but it’s just not all that good for your ability to manage stress. A quick 5-minute walk up and down the corridor or into the carpark and back is all it takes to break things up. Aim for 5 minutes of movement every 2 hours and you’ll be in the right ballpark. 

The beauty of adopting this habit is that it will start to feel like a natural part of your day. Know you’ve got a lengthy presentation or double meeting to sit through this afternoon? Make a quick walk and stretch outside the last thing you do before walking into the room. Your energy levels will go up a notch just when you need to be at your best.

What’s my first step?

Taking a break and slowing down is key at lunchtime, so why not do it tomorrow? Put down your phone and avoid chasing online casino bonuses, texting, or scrolling on social and opt instead for some fresh air. It’s such a small shift that you will be able to make yourself do it without even having to try. Changing your lunchtime routine as a first step also has the added bonus of it being during your free time. Think of it as a chance to take control of how you will feel for the rest of the day, and you’ll have all the motivation you need. Speaking of which…

Be kind to yourself

You will not be able to get everything exactly right on the very first attempt, so don’t cause yourself stress by trying. The key here is to be kind to yourself by talking to your inner voice as if you were helping someone else. Be understanding and supportive while at the same time taking pride in the effort you’re making. You will get there one step at a time if you believe in yourself.