Whether you work in a busy office, teach high school kids, work with animals, as a landscape gardener or as a volunteer, whether you are self employed or work for someone else and even if you love your job, there will be days when the stress that has been building so slowly you hardly noticed it, suddenly becomes overwhelming. These simple stress busting tips will get you back on track in no time.
Tip 1 - Step Back From The Coalface
Whatever you are doing, you will benefit when you put some physical distance between you are your job. Take a walk, go for a jog or take a weekend away somewhere completely different.
Things that can become overwhelming close up can fall into perspective when viewed from afar. Putting some distance between yourself and your job also frees up some mental space allowing your unconscious mind to work. When you return to your job, you will find that you are easily able to tackle even previously impossible tasks!
Tip 2 - Stay Hydrated
Water is essential for the biochemistry of the body. The brain needs water to function properly. Water is a natural de-stressor flushing out toxins and restoring balance to the body. Drink at least eight large glasses of water every day and you will notice a benefit. And keep caffeine drinks, such as coffee, tea and cola to a minimum.
Your body rapidly becomes accustomed to this new level of water and you will not need to visit the rest room more than normal if you space out your water drinking over time. Keep a 2L bottle of water at your workstation and make sure you drink it slowly throughout the day.
Tip 3 - Eat Regularly
Skipping breakfast and grabbing a quick coffee on the way to work is one of the worst ways to start the day if you want to reduce your stress levels. When the body is subjected to colossal sugar highs followed by crashes of sugar lows, it is guaranteed to leave your nerves jangling.
Aim to eat a good breakfast with some slow release carbohydrate and protein. Snack on fruit, nuts and oat bars. Never skip meals and keep your evening meal light.
Tip 4 - Use Stress Toys
Stress relief toys, such as stress balls are cheap and highly effective stress relievers. Keep one in your desk, glove compartment or your car, hand bag, briefcase etc. Take it out and pummel it whenever you start to feel stress building. Over time the continued stimulation of the acupressure points in the hands will have far reaching benefits throughout the body.
Tip 5 - Prioritize
Do you really need to do all of your work yourself? Can some of it be delegated effectively? Is every task essential or can some be skipped? Once you have decided on all the essential tasks that only you can do, prioritize them. Then do the most important thing first. Work at it until it is completed and only then move onto the second most important task and so on. This way you will find that you get more done and your stress will reduce accordingly.
For more serious longer term stress, a systematised stress reduction program should be followed but for routine daily stress, these tips will work well.
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