Try These 7 Things to be Less Stressed at Work

Stress at work is common. When you're stressed out at work, it's difficult to perform your duties to the best of your ability. Additionally, negative feelings can bring down morale and cause tension among employees. Here are seven ways you can reduce the pressure so you can be productive and happy while you work.

1. Get a Good Night's Rest

Getting enough sleep is absolutely critical to your health, not to mention your work performance. Experts recommend that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep every night. If you're experiencing stress at work, start going to bed earlier. If you have trouble falling asleep, you may want to take a natural sleep aid, such as melatonin, or speak to a doctor about a more powerful sleep aid.

2. Drink Tea

It's no secret that drinking coffee is one of the most common ways to start the day and stay alert throughout it. However, drinking too much coffee can actually cause you to feel stressed out, anxious and jittery. Instead, try drinking a cup of tea in the morning when you start to feel stress at work. A non-caffeinated tea, such as chamomile can relax you without making you tired.

3. Schedule Your Work

One of the most common causes of stress at work is an overload of projects, often due to poor planning. Try to set a specific schedule to perform various duties throughout your workday. For example, you could check and answer emails after lunch. Spreading your work throughout the day prevents you from feeling overworked.

4. Go for a Stroll

Sitting still for too long is a common cause of stress at work. If you start to feel restless, go for a brief walk around the parking lot or even to the break room and back. Simply splitting up the monotony and getting your blood flowing can really make a huge difference.

5. Play Relaxing Music

Studies have proven that relaxing instrumental music slows your heart rate, lowers your blood pressure, and reduces hormones that cause stress at work. If you're not able to listen to music out loud, invest in a small pair of headphones. If you're not permitted to listen to music during work hours, listen on the way to and from work and during your breaks.

6. Focus on Your Breathing

Sometimes, taking a few deep breaths can help minimize stress. You may not be able to meditate in the office, but simply closing your eyes and counting deep breaths can work wonders to help you find your balance again.

7. Be Social

While it may not always be appropriate depending on your work environment, sharing a laugh or having a conversation with someone can relieve stress at work. It helps to remember that you're part of a team, and other people experience the same pressures as you.

You may not be able to eliminate stress at work entirely, but these tips should certainly help. Stress can be tough to deal with, so if you start to feel overwhelmed, try your best to relax and stay focused on the present moment.

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