Do you feel stressed out on an almost daily basis when you’re at work?
If not, consider yourself lucky! Because according to a 2017 survey, more than 70 percent of American workers rate their daily workplace stress at a 3 or higher on a scale of 1 to 5.
People report being stressed out for all kinds of reasons. Some are stressed due to the complicated work they’re doing, while others are stressed over long hours. Some are stressed because of tight deadlines, while others are stressed over their boss.
Regardless of why they’re stressed, learning how to destress at work is something that more people need to do. It could make their work life and their life as a whole less stressful and more pleasant overall.
If stress is starting to get the best of you, here are 10 ways to destress at work while still staying on track.
1. Go for a Walk Outside
The idea of getting up from your desk and taking a break might seem counterproductive when you have a million and one things to do. But it can actually be extremely helpful for those overwhelmed with stress.
A quick walk outside can help clear your mind and make you forget about what was stressing you out in the first place. It can also send endorphins streaming through your body, which will work to bring your stress levels down.
You’ll return to your desk feeling more relaxed and ready to attack the work that awaits you.
2. Close Your Eyes and Take a Few Deep Breaths
Don’t have time to go outside and take a walk? It’s understandable. Your boss might not take too kindly to you leaving during a particularly stressful time.
You can still relax your mind in others ways, though. One way to do it is to close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
This will only take you about 30 to 60 seconds. But it’ll dump oxygen into your body and clear out some of the stress you were feeling previously. You’ll feel your whole body slip into a relaxed state for a few moments.
3. Meditate
If you have more than 30 to 60 seconds to do some deep breathing, try mindfulness meditation on for size.
To do it, simply close your eyes and spend a few minutes breathing in and out while focusing on your breath. Thoughts will inevitably race through your brain while you meditate, but your goal should be to acknowledge them and then return to following your breathing.
This can be even more beneficial than simply taking several deep breaths. You can relax and recharge in as little as five minutes.
4. Enjoy a (Healthy!) Snack
Stress eating is something that a lot of people do. They’ll load up on pizza or a hamburger to make themselves feel better about the stress they’re feeling.
We wouldn’t advise you to do that. But there is some good that can come along with stress eating, provided you pick the right foods to do it with.
Try stress eating with:
- A banana
- A handful of almonds
- An avocado
- Or another healthy option
A healthy snack will work wonders for your mind and body, especially if you eat it away from your desk.
5. Hide Your Cell Phone in a Desk Drawer
Studies have shown that your cell phone can cause you to feel stressed out. Even if you’re just using it to check Facebook, it’s likely increasing your stress levels.
Since you’re already stressed enough as is, you don’t need your phone stressing you out anymore! Take it and put it inside your desk drawer. Don’t pick it up again until you’re feeling better about the way your day is going.
6. Play Music
There are certain songs that have been proven to help those suffering from stress and anxiety. Learn them and listen to them whenever stress starts to take a toll on you.
7. Squeeze a Stress Toy
Are you so stressed out that you feel like you could punch a hole in the wall next to your desk?
Before you do that, grab a stress toy and work out all your aggression on it. You can squeeze a stress toy as hard as you want without having to worry about breaking it.
The same can’t be said for punching the wall! So find stress toys that will do the trick. Check those out here.
8. Clean Up Your Workspace
There are some people who get a lot of joy out of cleaning. It alleviates their stress and makes them feel better about life.
If you’re one of those people, you don’t have to save all your cleaning for home. You can clean up your workspace during tense times and feel better about things.
As an added bonus, your workspace will feel a heck of a lot less cluttered after you clean it up.
9. Color in a Coloring Book
The idea of coloring in a coloring book during a stressful day at work might sound very silly. And we will admit that it’ll look a little odd if your boss walks over to see if you have a report done only to find you coloring.
But many adults use coloring books for stress relief these days. Trying to stay in between the lines offers comfort and melts away stress.
10. Vent to a Coworker
If you find that nothing else is working, consider venting to a coworker about whatever it is that’s bothering you at work. Whether you spend a few minutes complaining about your workload, your boss, or your clients, you’ll likely feel better once you’re done.
Just make sure you can trust your coworker to keep your venting session confidential. Otherwise, you could end up with a whole new stressful set of circumstances on your hands.
Teach Yourself How to Destress at Work More Effectively
To be the absolute best you can be at your job, you’re going to need to figure out how to destress at work.
You can take regular walks, meditate at lunch, or invest in a stress toy. But whatever you do, don’t let stress keep you down.
Read our blog for more valuable life hacks.