There’s nothing more stressful than attempting to cure the Monday Blues. Scratch that. There’s nothing more stressful than heading to work with a pile of work to get through. Finding time to meet friends, drink water, run errands, indulge in a skincare routine while juggling a full-time job can be demanding.
They say that stress is a natural part of life, but finding ways to manage stress is the key to bracing yourself for life’s inevitable rollercoaster ride. While the ideal way to de-stress would be to enjoy a luxurious two-week vacation in the Maldives, finding practical options may be more realistic.
Here are five ways you can de-stress throughout the workday.
Exercise
There’s nothing that alleviates stress more than filling your body with endorphins. The best part is that you don’t need to spend hours pumping iron or extra money on a fancy gym. 10 minutes is all you need to calm your nervous system, so step outside and take in the fresh air or do a quick YouTube workout if you’re working from home.
Meditate
There are numerous benefits to meditating, including releasing tension and stress. Taking a few minutes out of your day to quiet your mind, re-focus, and re-centre will do wonders for your mental state and will ensure that you’re capable of taking on any challenge. A common misconception is that meditation is all about switching off your thoughts, but it’s all about introspection – turning inwards to acknowledge your thoughts, emotions, and body in order to help you gain perspective.
Declutter
Messy desk = messy mind. Having a messy desk can actually affect your mental state, influencing your ability to focus and get through the day. Taking a few minutes to tidy up your desk, declutter your handbag, and close those 105 open tabs on your desktop, may just help you shut off those mental tabs you have open. It’s also a great way to help direct your attention to where it’s most needed – work.
Playlist
Various scientific studies confirm the connection between music and mood, with some studies suggesting that listening to music releases pleasure-causing chemicals in the brain, such as melatonin. So, make sure that you get that music playlist ready and pump out some tunes throughout the day. Whether you’re looking to drown out the office noise and focus or boost your mood, there’s a playlist out there for everyone.
Plan
One of the biggest and most helpful ways to banish unnecessary stress is to have a plan of action, especially during those busy periods. A great example would be to prioritise your tasks according to intensity levels, starting with easier tasks and ending with harder. Or perhaps, you could start with your toughest ones first before tackling the easier ones. Whatever you choose, batching your tasks will help you avoid wasting time when attempting to switch from one task to the next, allowing you to work efficiently.
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