By the Just Mind clinical team and clinically reviewed by Teri Schroeder, LCSW
Have you felt like your work stress is running your life? If so, you aren’t alone, and there are some simple ways to find stress relief at work and reclaim your work experience.
1. Leave 30 Minutes Earlier for Your Commute
Is your morning commute to work usually fraught with traffic jams and frequent lane-changing in an effort to get seconds ahead? Try something different: instead of rushing out the door with only minutes to spare, casually stroll out 30 minutes early. Put on some classical music, or choose to drive in silence. Take deep breaths while on the road and enjoy the scenery. Feel how refreshing it is to show up early to your office and start your day relaxed.
2. Knock Some Scents Into Your Stress
Light some aromatherapy candles (or better yet, get a flameless candle warmer if your office has a policy against open flames at the desk). Try the natural smells of lavender, eucalyptus, bergamot, rose, sandalwood, chamomile (even a sachet of whole coffee beans might work) to see which one relieves your stress the best.
3. Gaze Out Your Office Window
There’s a reason dentist and doctor offices have ‘healing gardens’ in the foyer and bird houses outside the windows. Looking at calming things makes us calm. If you don’t have a window near your desk, print out a scene from your dream trip and hang it above your computer. Whenever you feel stressed, take a mini-vacation and imagine yourself sipping mai tais on a sunny beach.
4. Write Down Your Worries and Set Them Aside
If your work day is often interrupted by thoughts of worry, try this: whenever you have a troubling thought or stressful worry, write it down on a strip of paper. It doesn’t matter if the worry is unrealistic. Write it down. Fold it up and stick it in a jar or box that you keep in your desk. By writing it down, you are allowing yourself to take it out of your mind and move on to more productive things. You can schedule fifteen minutes at the end of the day to go over the thoughts in a ‘worry session.’
5. Treat Yourself to Dark Chocolate and Tea
Some studies suggest both can help reduce stress. Not that we need an excuse to eat a little bit of chocolate once a day!
6. Wear Something That Boosts Your Confidence
Something as small as red lipstick, a favorite tie, or a bold color you don’t usually wear can add a sense of self-confidence that puts a spin on your work day. You may see yourself differently, and that in turn will make others react to you differently. It’s a quick way to give you that extra little pep to your day. A new pair of shoes might also put an extra hop in your step.
7. Don’t Take Work Home With You
Delegate tasks to team members and leave the office on time. Turn your cellphone off right when you step through the door. Have a rule with loved ones that conversation about work is limited. Make a clear separation between your home and work life.
If you or a loved one need help with stress, you can read more about personal growth counseling on our dedicated page. Also, if you are ready, you can contact us to make a counseling appointment.
If you enjoyed this post, you can also read a similar one regarding slaying stress at home or a post providing more stress-busting tips.
