When you sit down and think about it, most of us have so many projects on our plates it’s tough to even count. Between sorting through emails to putting together presentations to merely making your way through a daily to-do list – the average work day starts to get pretty packed right off the bat, every day. With all that work to be done, sometimes it’s tough to even take a deep breath during the day – and not to mention the many interruptions that create delays and distractions from getting it all done. In a nutshell, figuring out how to reduce stress at work can go a long way in creating a more balanced and happy life. Rather than lying awake at night worrying about the next day at work, let’s take a look at some great solutions for reducing stress at work and getting it all done.
Get enough sleep. That sounds like a tough one when early mornings and late nights come into play. Add in exercise, time with your family and being able to enjoy life – getting loads of sleep seems nearly impossible. When you think about it, setting aside that time for good, solid sleep will set the tone of success for the rest of your day.
Just breathe. Sounds so simple – but really it does help. When you start to get overwhelmed, take a moment to let some air flow through your body. Close your eyes, breathe and just be calm. When you get back to work, you’ll feel more balanced, calm and ready to sort through the work.
Tame the interruptions. Sounds way easier said than done, right? Sometimes shutting down email, turning off the phone and creating a quiet space is just the thing you need in order to crank through that overwhelming to-do list. Break up your day into a schedule that includes checking email, returning phone calls and taking time to actually produce work.
Set your priorities in order of when each task needs to be accomplished. When you place everything on a timeline, you’re able to see more clearly exactly what needs to be done and when. Having a better understanding and a visual of your timeline is helpful for gaining perspective rather than being overwhelmed.
Don’t feel bad about taking breaks. Getting up from your desk, walking around and getting some fresh air can actually be just the ticket to getting it all done. Those little breaks throughout the day are essential for being able to focus when you need to. Get up, stretch your legs and even go for a short walk every hour. When you return to your desk, you will be much more focused and ready to crank through that list.
Get exercise and eat well. Keeping stress low starts at the core and that means getting lots of exercise and making good nutrition a priority. Eating well will give you the staying power and energy you need to make it through the day. Mixing up your long days at the office with daily exercise will keep that heart working hard, the blood pumping and your energy levels super high. All this goes a long way when it comes to reducing stress at work.
How do you manage your stress levels at work? Got any tips to share?
