When you’re heading to work each day, the last thing you want to do is lose your job. However, one of the parts that cause people to lose their cool at work is their stress level. When you don’t know how to manage your stress level at work, this can lead to some catastrophic experiences. In order to learn how to live better and manage your stress when you’re in the workplace, consider the following tips.
1. Take Breaks
If you’re constantly working for hours without a break, you’ll hold stress in your body without realizing it. Even if the break is only ten minutes, be intentional about taking time for yourself during the workday. Take a mid-morning break to stretch and get a cup of coffee. During your lunch break, take a walk around the building. Some fresh air is always helpful for resetting the mind. As you feel yourself heading into a mid-afternoon slump, take a five-minute break to do some jumping jacks, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or do some deep-breathing exercises. As you move your body, it’s a lot easier to get rid of some of that pent-up tension.
2. Create a Morning Ritual
Before you even head into the workplace, set your intentions for the day. If this means that you need to wake up a few hours earlier than usual, it’s time well-spent. Take time to exercise. Read some motivational messages. Listen to an inspirational podcast. It’s even a great idea to set your own rhythms that include self-care rituals like a visit to the local gym to do a few laps in the pool or a scheduled visit to get a microcurrent facial. Wellness rituals and routines are really important when you’re trying to manage stress-induced issues like anxiety. There’s something about the brain that feels safe when there’s a sense of continuity and routine. Provide that safe space for yourself by creating a calming ritual that prepares you for the day ahead.
3. Pay Attention to Triggers
In your quest to managing your stress, know that there’s a level of self-mastery involved. In this case, you’ll want to pay attention to anything that triggers you or causes a sense of panic or stress. If opening your email inbox at the start of the day tends to stress you out, consider why that might be. Perhaps you need to keep your email inbox open throughout the entire day. You might need to check your inbox within the last 30 minutes before you head out the door. If you answer a ton of emails before you leave the office, this might decrease the number of emails you’ll need to respond to at the start of the next day. As you notice your triggers, be thoughtful and purposeful about finding resolutions. This will eliminate the power your triggers have over you.
4. Develop Coping Mechanisms
For some people, a stress ball is a perfect tool to help them cope with physical stress they’re feeling. For others, deep-breathing exercises help. For you, it might be important to install a water feature near your desk. For many people, the sound of water can be extremely calming. If appearances really matter to you, consider redecorating your cubicle to make it look more cheerful and upbeat. If grabbing your favorite latte before work tends to help you feel more equipped, make a small investment. As you develop ways to cope, make sure you include a holistic approach as well. You don’t want to always resort to using material goods to cope with emotional issues. Therefore, if you need to make an investment in therapy, it’s worth the effort. Ultimately, if the work environment is extremely toxic, work to find employment elsewhere. No one should have to spend countless hours in a highly toxic environment. It will wear down your physical and mental health in the long run.
Even though the workplace is often associated with stress, it doesn’t have to be. The key is to change your mindset about the situation. In a way, you’ll get to develop the skill of self-mastery. When you’re able to recognize the power you have within an environment, it’s very difficult to fail. As you learn how to master your own mind, your stress level will naturally decrease.
