Work Got You Stressed? 3 Ways to Chill Out at Work

Work gotcha stressed out? You're not alone. Stress is a major issue for workers today, no matter the field they're in. From classrooms to boardrooms, construction sites to websites, people of all ages and stages in their career can become overloaded with stress. And it won't disappear on its own. You can take stress and turn it from a mess to a success.

Here are 3 ways to learn to de-stress and make the workplace more peaceful and inviting. No more pulling your hair out! Instead, you can chill out, calm your nerves, and discover new ways of tackling unpleasant and frustrating situations with these useful tips. Turn aggravation into accomplishment all while relaxing the mind and spirit.

Create Boundaries

There's so much constant activity that interrupts, distracts, and throws us off schedule each day. As the American Psychological Association notes, "In today's digital world, it's easy to feel pressure to be available 24 hours a day." Too many of us never know when to cut off our work-focused minds and achieve balance.

Many of us are compelled to answer emails the moment they land in the inbox, talk to "Joe" from marketing just because he inconveniently popped in the office unannounced, or attend every meeting we're invited to. All this commotion may seem like part of the job, but with no boundaries, stress levels rise higher and higher. We feel like we have to "do it all" when sometimes, less is indeed, more.

You can take control of this non-stop frenzy and still get your job done better than ever. Sharon Melnick, Ph.D., a business psychologist and author recommends to Forbes, "Emails, phone calls, pop ins, instant messages and sudden, urgent deadlines conspire to make today's workers more distracted than ever. While you may not have control over the interrupters, you can control your response. Melnick advises responding in one of three ways: Accept the interruption, cut it off, or diagnosis its importance and make a plan."

No one will begrudge you for trying to get your work done efficiently and will less stressors. Make small changes until you are comfortable with the new patterns and habits you've strategically implemented. When others see how well you're performing, they may be compelled to follow suit, making your entire workplace more efficient.

Treat Your Body Well

Stress is known to nag and fester, so do all you can to relax your mind and take good care of your body in order to release tension and arrive at a lighter, brighter place. As per PsychCentral, "Engage in activities that are relaxing to you, such as yoga, or anything that you really enjoy, such as meeting with friends, reading, watching TV or gardening."

And even before you get into that mode effectively, when mind-numbing stress is at its peak, stop what you're doing to focus on deep breathing. Melnick, as per Forbes suggests, "If you're feeling overwhelmed or are coming out of a tense meeting and need to clear your head, a few minutes of deep breathing will restore balance." Not only will this calm your nerves, but as per PsychCentral it "prevents you from saying something you might regret." That could lead to even more stressful scenarios! Note: Do NOT hit "reply all!"

It's also imperative to eat well, get adequate sleep, and let your mind and body recharge. Try not to obsess over stressful work-related issues when it's time to be with family and loved ones or during your "me time." Leave the work at the office as much as you can. The more you remove yourself from the "eye of the storm," the better you'll clear up the negative clouds which loom over your head and move forth with clear and sunny skies lighting your path.

Mind Over Matter

Sometimes we create unnecessary drama in our heads when things aren't going perfectly. We can become hyper-sensitive to innocent comments that were totally harmless and blow minor issues out of proportion. Meetings that somehow went off-track and projects that didn't yield the desired results can still have positive takeaways. By looking on the bright side, we can reduce stress and allow ourselves to work more efficiently. Turn negatives into positives and take control of how you react rather than allowing the situation to lead your behavior.

As per the American Psychological Association, one way to help your mind focus is through learning how to relax. "Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises and mindfulness (a state in which you actively observe present experiences and thoughts without judging them) can help melt away stress. Start by taking a few minutes each day to focus on a simple activity like breathing, walking or enjoying a meal."

By learning how to control the mind, you can better react to potentially stress-inciting situations and people more calmly and effectively. Remember, we cannot control what others say and do, but we can manage ourselves. You have the power to use your mind to dilute heavy situations and circumstances and turn them into positives. Always take a moment before reacting and think about what you want to say or do. It will greatly affect the outcome and you will lead the way for others thanks to your rational example. Together, we can re-route the stress in the workplace and travel a new path to overall success.

Less stress IS possible. You can become the stress-free professional you always knew you could be. 'Till then, invest in a squishy stress ball and give it a tension-reducing squeeze!

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