7 Ways to Relax at Work When You’re Stressed
Workplace stress is one of those undeniable facts of life that we have to accept. With all the tasks to complete, deadlines to meet, obnoxious colleagues, and yelling boss, it’s no wonder you feel wired and on the verge of a breakdown. You might want to shut down, cry, or yell, but the workplace is no place for such outbursts, and you have to rein yourself in.
Consoling might be the thought of returning home, burying yourself under a weighted blanket Canada, and just drifting off to dreamland, far from your office problems. But when there are several hours until clocking off, and you already feel like you’re hanging on by a thread of your sanity, such daydreams won’t be enough. In such moments, you need immediate solutions like taking a walk, stretching, or talking to coworkers.
Below, you’ll find tips that will help you relax and reduce anxiety in a matter of minutes. Your well-being affects your productivity, so read on to find out how to stay on top of things.
Cut Yourself Some Slack
When you have a lot of work to finish and not enough time to do it, it’s easy to become anxious and stressed. But if you stay in that state of mind too long, it will affect your productivity. So take a step back and realize that there isn’t much that can be done about it right now.
Try to figure out what exactly is stressing you out and why it is so important to handle everything in one day. Make a list of things that need to be done today, prioritize them, set deadlines for each task, and organize yourself so that you don’t feel like you’re suffocating from all the pressure.
If you still feel overwhelmed by all the tasks at hand, try not to worry about tomorrow just yet. Instead, focus on completing one task at a time until the end of the day comes. And at the end of the day, remind yourself how much work you completed and how proud of yourself you are for staying focused until the end of the workday.
Take a Walk
Sitting behind a desk all day, you might feel how tense all your muscles are. It’s time to stand up from your desk, take some fresh air, and get the blood flowing through your veins. When you’re stressed and anxious, going for a walk is the best way to relieve your tension and boost your energy levels. Breathe deeply, listen to the noise around you, and try to focus on something else.
Of course, while on the clock it’s impossible to go to a park and enjoy the fresh air. Luckily, even a short coffee run or a toilet break can do wonders for your muscles. And if you take a small detour to make your walk a little longer, nobody should notice you.
Talk to Coworkers
Being with people is one of the best ways to relax when stressed and anxious. A good conversation can reduce anxiety levels almost instantly by distracting your mind from the source of stress.
Of course, it doesn’t mean that you should walk into any colleague and start sharing your problems. Instead, you can engage in small talk during breaks or go for coffee with someone from your department. This way, you won’t feel like you’re alone with all the stressors in your life. And if your colleagues have similar problems, they might have good advice for you. It’s always good to have a nice chat with someone who understands you!
Stretch Yourself Out
After sitting in one place for too long, your muscles might feel stiff and sore. Stretching will help alleviate tension and renew your connections between your brain, body, and mind. It will loosen muscles and increase blood flow, taking your body back to its natural state of well-being.
Even something as simple as reaching out for the ceiling with your arms and pulling them back down will be helpful. So when you feel like you’re about to snap, stretch yourself out at your desk to relax and gain back composure.
Take Five Minutes to Breathe Deeply
Deep breathing techniques help lower blood pressure and improve blood circulation throughout the body. It also reduces muscle tension and prevents negative thoughts from taking over your mind.
If you’re feeling stressed out and anxious, take five minutes to close your eyes and breathe in and out slowly, thus bringing your body back to its natural state of equilibrium. The more stressed you feel, the deeper your breaths should be – until you regain complete control over yourself.
Watch Some Animal Videos
When you’re anxious, it’s difficult to focus on the things going on around you. Negative thoughts cloud your mind and it’s impossible to concentrate on anything else. And while you can’t turn off your anxiety completely, you can find other ways to keep yourself calm until the end of the day.
One way to do it is by watching funny animal videos. Not only will they put a smile on your face, but they will also distract you from whatever’s bothering you. Animal videos are a great distraction for anyone who feels like everything is crashing down on them. So watch them during your break if you feel like you’re about to lose it.
Listen to Relaxing Music
If you feel like your anxiety levels are getting higher, and you need something to soothe your nerves, try listening to some nice music. Soothing melodies and soft notes will help chase away the negative thoughts that are bothering you.
Of course, playing your favorite tracks at the office isn’t the best idea because it might annoy people around you. But listening on earphones to a soothing playlist on YouTube or Spotify during the break should be enough to put you in a better, calmer state of mind. Turn off your brain and just listen to the music – it will help you relax and enjoy the rest of your day!
Conclusion
There are times when you feel like you have to accomplish a lot, and there’s not much you can do about it. It’s important to learn how to cope with stress and anxiety in the workplace. You can’t simply walk out on your job when things get tough, but luckily there are ways to reduce their effects on your mind and body.
So next time you feel like something is getting to you, take a step back and focus on the things you can control. It might help you get your head together and stay productive until the end of the day. And if it doesn’t work, try another tip from this list!