A survey done by the Harvard Gazette states that around 36% of Americans suffer from workplace stress. If you run those numbers globally, the statistics of how many people suffer from workplace stress may scare you.
Stress is a part of life just like any other part, but if left unchecked it may cause long-term effects. Especially in the workplace, where Billions of Dollars have been lost due to stress.
11 easy way how can you relieve stress at work
- Stop Procrastinating
If you can do it now or today, why push it to the next day? Procrastination is one of the major causes of stress in the workplace.
For example, if you keep on pushing work that you could have obviously done earlier, the deadline will come and that will put a strain on you. This is because you will have little time to finish the job and at times if you do, you will not have done it well.
- Take Breaks
It may sound cliché but breaks do help to curb stress. If you are feeling like it is all too much at a given moment, take some time to yourself to charge your batteries.
After the breaks, you will come back more energized and ready to put it the work. And if your work is one that heavily relies on creativity, the creative edge will definitely be boosted.
- Play game
For some time you need to divert your mind on another topic, and play game would be great option for you. You just gather some fun by playing indoor game like the statue game or get ping pong game, Dart board games or a foosball table etc.
- Before You Leave the Office, Organize the Following Day’s Work
Do you find that your work hits you on the face every morning? If so, to relieve stress at work, always try to organize the next day’s work before you leave.
The workplace will be more organized in the morning and you will know what to start on when you walk in. This is especially for those who work alone as they have to do almost everything on their own.
- Talk to Someone
By talking to someone, that means talk to a professional who can help you. Most people don’t feel comfortable talking to a stranger about their problems but they also don’t feel comfortable talking to friends or family as well.
If you are feeling stressed, why don’t you seek professional help before it gets worse? Talking to someone about your stressors can help you relieve stress at work. The counsellor will help you identify your problem and how to deal with it.
- Reduce Your Caffeine Intake
As you well know caffeine is a stimulant and high doses of it can cause anxiety. Caffeine can be found in coffee, tea, chocolate and energy drinks.
The human body is quite a complex topic as it differs with each and every person. So, there’s a certain threshold of how much caffeine anyone can take. The moderate and healthy number of cups you should take in a day of say coffee or tea is not more than five cups.
But if you notice that it makes your anxiety levels go up, you should consider cutting back on the intake. This will help you deal with workplace stress more appropriately.
- Exercise Your Body
Your body is more or less like a car if you don’t exercise it, it will have some malfunctions. You can have a workout routine before and after work at least four times a week.
You will always be rejuvenated to be in the office every morning if you have worked out before coming in. And you can work out your daily stress in the gym after work as well. It doesn’t have to be a gym that you enroll to, to work out, you can even walk or run. It will help you clear your mind and hence relieve your stress.
- Don’t Fall Into Office Politics
Do you really want to relieve stress at work? Then, avoid office politics and competition in the workplace. This happens when you are working in a big firm where everyone is trying to outshine the other. Don’t be sucked into it.
If you do, you will most of the times feel like you are underachieving and hence your stress levels will shoot up. Only focus on your own career and always strive to put in your best in what you do. Your rise will come eventually, you don’t have to push yourself harder and not enjoy the fruits at the end.
- Avoid Trying To Be Perfect
You may be one of those people who are obsessed with perfection, but that obsession if not curbed early enough will eat you alive. We have all heard of the saying that no one is perfect in this world. So, why do you think you are any different?
At some point you are going to make a mistake, and if you are obsessed with perfection that may end up causing you more stress.
- Laugh
It is hard to be stressed out when you are laughing, don’t you agree? Laughing is generally good for your health and you should try and do it as much as you can. In terms of helping you relieve stress at work, laughing can help you:
. Respond to stressful situations more calmly.
. Relax your muscles while easing tension.
Laughing will also help you worry less about your health as it will, in the long run, boost your immune system and your mood will generally be better.
- Listen to Music
Music can really be soothing to the soul and it can help you calm down when dealing with stressful situations. While trying to relieve stress at work, you can try listening to your favorite playlist; everyone has to have one.
This can happen when you are at your desk working on a stressful project or when you are on your breaks.
It doesn’t matter what you listen to, just listen to whatever that music works for you. You will find that you will be calmer in those moments and even end up getting more done than you had earlier expected.
Also, a point to remember is, if you are working in an open office, use your earphones to avoid interfering with your colleagues.
Conclusion
Stress is much a part of your day to day life and you need to find ways of dealing with it. In the workplace, it can really cause you to be unproductive and you may end up losing your job. Finding ways to relieve stress at work can really be beneficial to, you, your clients, and colleagues and boss (if you have one). These are just some of the creative ways you can use to relieve stress at work.
Author Bio: Amira Leyva in love with sports from my childhood. I am studying at CSE on reputed university as well as an occasional blogger, I want to share my interests and experiences through this blog topicaltalks.com