Relieving Stress at Work

For a vast majority of those in the workforce, the correlation between stress and your work life is a familiar pattern. Every field has stressful situations, so learning how to manage stress at work is one of the biggest ways you can take charge of achieving a more balanced state of being. You can try out some of these tips below for dealing with tension during the course of your workday.

Stepping Outside: Staying inside all day long can intensify any tension you might feel. When is the last time you stopped to take a break and step outside for a few minutes? Taking a deep breath of fresh air will help you relax and refresh yourself. A small amount of time outside can do wonders in lightening your load.

Breathing Techniques: There are many different breathing techniques designed to lower your level of stress at work. Implementing these quick routines into your daily schedule can have a wonderfully positive impact on your mood. Here are two breathing exercises I use with my clients:

Exhaling with Sound:  This is my favorite breathing technique, because it releases stress from deep inside. 

Breathe in, expanding your belly…
Hold the breath for a few moments…
Now exhale with a sigh of release—ahhhhh!

Sighing often gets a bad rap, but it actually is a phenomenal way to beat stress. Try it, and don't be shy about making a little noise!

Deep Breathing:  Sometimes the simplest technique is the best, because you can do it anytime and anywhere: 

Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose, letting the air fill your lungs and abdomen…
Slowly exhale through your nose or mouth, letting out all of the air… 

Deep breathing is a simple and effective way to calm your mind and body.

Guided Relaxation: Listening to guided relaxation during a break in your workday can give your downtime a completely new meaning. The gentle guidance gives your mind something to follow, keeping you in a positive, relaxed state for a while. So the next time you take a break from your work, I invite you to try a guided relaxation recording. It can be an amazing way to retrain yourself on positive ways to handle the chaos in your career.

Tomorrow is a New Day: Learning to pace yourself is also a great way to reduce your stress levels when it comes to your job. It helps to remember that tomorrow is a new day with new possibilities. It’s a fresh start to finish whatever project you have on your to-do list. Reminding yourself of that fact can go a long way in helping you manage your stress.

May you find a time for relaxation to refresh you.

Taking breaks from work actually makes us more productive. Check out these articles from Harvard Business Review, Fast Company and The New York Times