How to Decrease Stress in the Office

Being stressed out is hard enough, but being stressed in your office is worse when you are expected to be doing work and perform to the highest standard. Before taking it out on helpless stationary or even worse, a colleague, it might be time for some Productivity Ninja calmness advice. Here are a few tips and tricks for you to use, in order to decrease your stress levels at work. 

Mini Stretches and Walk

This does not mean you perform a routine exercise in front of your colleagues, but merely going for a light walk around the office and give your legs a stretch, can do wonders for your stress levels. It has been shown that a short walk can undo the harm from long periods of sitting, by pumping blood around your body, which in turn helps your physical health (thus reducing stress).

Eat Right

On your lunch break, instead of opting for the easily accessible junk food, make sure that you eat right a go for a healthier option that leaves you feeling energized. Throughout the day, if you’re feeling peckish, have some snacks in your drawers that you can munch on, to help keep you going. Here is a list of suggested snacks that you can keep in your office, which will make you feel physically better and have a positive impact on reducing stress.

Music

In moments of stress, all you want to do is escape and go away from the situation. However, that is not always possible when working. Nonetheless, music is a great form of escapism from the noise around you. So put in your earphones and play a relaxing song to help you calm down. If you’re not a fan of listening to music, give natural sounds a try. The soothing sound of rain drops or the ocean can do wonders.

Take a Break, and Breathe

That’s correct. Take a couple of minutes away from your work and just sit silently and breathe deeply. Learning how to perform diaphragmatic breathing can help reduce stress levels, and improve your mood and well-being at work. Another way to help you with your breathing and to switch off from work is starting daily meditation. Here at Think Productive we meditate a couple of minutes each morning before our Team Huddle, which helps everyone to get focused and to also switch off for a few minutes.

Form Relationships

Create a positive environment to be in, by getting close and socializing with your colleagues. This will make it easier on all of you during stressful times, so you can help one another out and be a little more understanding. And in the words of Helen Keller, ‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.’

So, however stressful your week may be – there is light at the end of the tunnel: Keep calm, and carry on.

By Rosie To