Stress has become one of the most common things in the modern world. Whether it is at work, in society or personal life, there is always at least one thing we feel stressed about; however, suffering from it (sometimes even chronically) does not have to be our everyday reality. There are many tried and tested ways to fight or relieve stress by making a small number of changes or by stepping back and making time for the things you enjoy.
Every person is unique, this means different stress triggers and different ways of dealing with stress. Work is usually one of the most common causes of stress, whether it is something we love or not, there are always situations that make us feel anxious during it; so today I would like to share with you 5 things you can try to relieve yourself from your work-life stress.
Exercise
Anything from 20 minutes to 2 hours exercise a day or once every two days, can help relieve stress. Exercise releases endorphins and gets the blood flowing, which in turn leads to an increase in happiness levels. The great thing about exercise is that it can come in any form you want, so it fits almost all tastes, you could try yoga, cycling, walking (with your dog if you like), running, going to the gym or even hiking; the most important thing is to get yourself to move.
It’s important to remember that exercise does not have to be a chore (so it doesn’t become another source of stress), find a sport or activity you enjoy, so it allows you to focus on something outside of your work hours. Simple changes to your lifestyle such as taking the stairs instead of the lift, walking instead of taking a car or taxi for short distances can make a great difference, not only for the pressure of your everyday life but for improving your health.
Healthy Eating
What you eat will be directly reflected in how you feel. A high fat or high sugar diet can make you feel bloated and unhappy. Eating a well-balanced diet can help you feel happier and healthier; which in turn can help to relieve stress and improve your overall mood.
Remember that skipping meals will also make you feel drained and exhausted, plus it will be harder for you to concentrate on what you are doing. In addition, eating healthy can make you more productive at work, thus minimizing the reasons why you may feel stressed!
Hobbies
Sometimes it’s very difficult to juggle a balanced life while working a full-time job. However, it’s imperative that you make time to discover and enjoy some other things (aside from work) that you love. Being able to enjoy other activities outside of your workplace will allow you to decompress and relax, additionally, focus your mind on different things will help you to get a fresher point of view of whatever task you are handling at work or in your personal life. Another point for increasing efficiency!
Try new things until you find what you love, you could try yoga classes, meditation, a sport, an art, a book club, the possibilities are endless! Just remember that enjoying a hobby is a way to give yourself a treat as well. So don’t cast it aside.
Identify stress triggers
One of the most important things to control your stress levels is identifying what exactly is causing you to stress. Is it really your work or is it your procrastination? Is the deadline itself or is it because you wasted time doing other things and now you have little time to finish what you were supposed to do? Finding the actual cause will be a great help in order to avoid it or to change unhealthy habits.
In your work, making clear schedules for your tasks, delegate and make a goal chart could be great ways to manage your tasks as well. The main thing is that you allow yourself some breathing room in order to feel better and also to be more productive. Do you love your job too much? Remember that functional alcoholism is a dangerous disease that may need an addiction recovery process, don’t be afraid to delegate and live your life outside of work as well.
Take a break
Another way to relieve stress in the workplace is to take a break. Try to forget about your work life. Socialize with friends, meet your family, go to a yoga or meditation class. Spending time with family and friends is important, as important as spending time with yourself, go to dinner, go to a spa, sleep in, read that book you haven’t been able to finish.
Everyone needs time to be themselves, relax and enjoy time with their loved ones. Did you know that most of the people don’t take their vacation days off? It’s yet another reason why we’re always so stressed when working. Don’t be afraid of getting away from the routine for a week or two, both for your personal sake, as for your work’s efficiency.
Author Bio:
My name is Andy! I was born in Bogota, Colombia, but raised in Los Angeles, California. I spend my time helping others with their recovery and growing my online business.