Effective Ways of Dealing With Work Stress

1. Reset Your Morning

Are you one of those who reach out to their smartphones to go through emails and messages even before pulling down the blinds to let the light in? If you said yes, you’re starting in high gear. That explains why you feel panicky.

When starting your day, it helps to stay relaxed and collected. Advisably, get yourself an old-school alarm clock to prevent you from checking your phone on waking up. Ditch your smartphone and do something more useful and productive. You can take a few minutes to meditate, do yoga exercises, go for a short run, or prepare (and enjoy) your favorite healthy smoothie. This way, you enjoy a calm start to your day. As put by excellence coach Phil Drolet in this video, this is achievable if you adopt a purposeful routine that will get your mind and body functioning efficiently.

2. Take Charge of What You Can

If you don’t feel in control, you’ll often be anxious about work. It’s true – taking charge of your work life will take time to achieve, but some things can be organized and done quickly to prevent unnecessary anxiety.

For instance, you could come up with an effective technique to manage your messages rather than always reacting to your swelling inbox. (Programs like Sanebox and Unroll.me always work for me.) if you have trouble organizing your prioritized day’s task in the morning or the night before, you can use helpful project management systems like Tracktime24. This way, you know what you need to achieve by the end of the day and what’s not urgent. Simple actions like decluttering your desk or computer desktop can also go a long way in calming your mind.

3. Schedule Breaks

Working on your computer for seven hours straight isn’t best for your health – there will still be lots of unread emails to go through and many searches to make on your computer.

Rather, ensure that you log off after a few hours. Take that time to take a walk outside and breathe some fresh air while enjoying the greenery. Studies confirm that people residing in green environments are less likely to feel anxious or depressed. If you get the chance to go out and fill your lungs with fresh air, take it.

4. Exercise – Even If It’s Not Your Cup of Tea

Working on those documents for a few more hours may be a good idea, but it would be more beneficial to spend time to burn some calories through exercise. By doing exercises, you’re not only burning calories, but also fending off stress and anxiety.

Scientific researchers at the University of Colorado, Boulder, have done a study on mice that indicated that even “forced” exercise relieves anxiety. While you may not like to exercise, it is important to try and get into a routine, even with the help of a friend or group who are willing to take a walk or run with you after work. A fitness gadget or app may also come in handy. By doing this, your body will greatly benefit.

5. Pick Your Food and Drinks Carefully

Surviving on caffeine, sugar, and other processed food can be likened to fueling the speed train of your anxiety. Studies have shown that the energy you draw from your morning cup of coffee may actually aggravate or be the cause of your anxiety.

So, turn to healthy alternatives. Go for water or herbal tea rather than caffeinated drinks. Instead of seeking that buzz from sugary and processed food when you’re anxious, eat healthy snacks like almonds, blueberries, and seaweed. These whole foods may not take away your anxiety, but will surely boost your mental well-being.