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4 Simple Ways to Manage Stress at Work

by Jacque O on June 14, 2023 Leave a Comment

We’ve all experienced feeling overwhelmed or stressed when it comes to working. It’s incredibly normal to feel the pressure from reports that need to get done by the end of the day, emails coming into your inbox faster than you can open them, making a call to Black Tie Moving Cincinnati, and those stacks of paper that need to be addressed piling up on your desk. However, there are some simple steps to help take some of the mental burden off of you.

That’s why we’re here to help by offering a list of 4 simple ways to manage stress at work.

Take a Break

It may seem counterproductive, but research shows that taking regular breaks at work has been shown to increase productivity while lowering stress levels. Our minds can only successfully focus on one thing for a period no longer than 90 minutes, so you’re doing yourself and your work a disservice by staying chained to your desk all day. To help limit and manage stress at work, incorporate regular breaks every 90 minutes or so. This could be as simple as taking a short walk outside or even hanging out around the coffee pot for a few minutes.

Practice Mindful Breathing

Mindful breathing is a wonderful tool to help combat stress and anxiety. This practice doesn’t just need to be when you’re at home, but it can be implemented at anytime, anywhere. That’s why it’s a great method to incorporate into your working environment. When you start to feel a little overwhelmed or you can’t seem to calm your heart rate down, try giving yourself a few minutes to focus on your breath. An easy way to do this is to inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, and exhale for 4. Repeat this breathing exercise 10 times, and you’re sure to feel better.

Delegate Where Necessary

You don’t have to do it all! Oftentimes, stress at work comes from people taking on more than they can handle. That’s why it’s absolutely necessary to delegate work that you can in order to keep those pesky stress levels down when you’re at work. If you work by yourself or delegation isn’t a possibility, delegate tasks to yourself for the following day. Prioritize what you can reasonably get done and save the rest for a more appropriate time. This is a simple way to keep you feeling more positive and peaceful when it comes to working.

Positive Self-Talk

While we aren’t a proponent of toxic positivity, that doesn’t mean you can’t practice positive self-talk when you’re feeling stressed at work. This doesn’t mean neglecting your stress, but it’s incorporating some positivity in there as well.

Some positive self-talk mantras to try when you’re feeling stressed:

“I can get this done.”
“This is an overwhelming project, but I will handle it the best way that I can, and I am comfortable with that.”
“I’m grateful for all that I’ve accomplished so far.”
“Life doesn’t give me anything that I can’t handle.”