6 Daily Rituals To Manage Work Stress

In the 21st century’s rushed lifestyle, it is difficult – if not impossible – to avoid stress. All of us are under at least some sort of stress on a daily basis, and while this is seen as totally normal by most people, it doesn’t mean that it’s good. Stress is a major issue that can have severe consequences in the long run, thus it is for the sake of your well-being that you try and mitigate it as much as possible.

Now, some jobs come with more pressure than others, and if you are experiencing your workdays as a test of your nerves day after day, it is time to bring some change into your lifestyle. Here are a few rituals that can help you manage work-related stress and let you live your best life.

Early bird…

We know that not everyone is naturally keen on getting out of bed as soon as the first rays of sunlight hit the blinds, however, getting up just 10 minutes earlier could do wonders for your morning routine. Imagine getting ready without having to rush and already getting stressed as you start the day in a bad mood because you cannot find the other sock. Instead of the headless rushing, create a 15-minute morning routine that you will repeat every day. Get up, drink a large glass of water, and take a few minutes just for yourself. The change will be drastic enough.

To-do Lists

When people think of to-do lists, they often feel like they are stress-inducing. However, it can be the exact opposite. When you’re done with your workday, chances are you still have some unfinished tasks waiting for you the next day. Instead of taking them home, so to say, note them down and leave them at the office. To-do lists can help us to be organised but they can also help us to avoid the stress of keeping everything in mind and the fear of forgetting something. The next day, add the new items to the list and prioritise them. If you can, start with the item you have been avoiding to finally get it out of the way.

Appropriate Breaks

We know it is hard to actually take breaks when you are on a tight schedule to finish up all your tasks, but working without stopping will diminish your productivity and actually cause you to be more stressed. Doing something else for a couple of minutes will also allow you to look at the task you were working on with a fresh pair of eyes and spot mistakes more easily. The Pomodoro technique might be of use, so read about it. If your job entails a lot of sitting, try to stand up and walk around often. If you have the chance, take your lunch break outside; getting away from your desk and perhaps into some greenery instead will help manage your stress levels.

Mind What You Eat

Amidst all the stress, we also tend to overlook our health, brushing it off with “I don’t have time.” However, it is very important to stay physically healthy in order to stay mentally healthy and combat stress. So, mind what you eat. Don’t let yourself be a victim of stress eating. Instead of turning to the office vending machine when you have sugar cravings around noon, try to think in advance and pack healthy snacks such as nuts to munch on – these will manage your hunger much better and keep your energy levels optimal. Moreover, keep yourself hydrated throughout the day – dehydration will cause you headaches, worsening your state.

Keep Your Body In Top Shape

A lot of sitting can cause a lot of problems. If you notice that your back is hurting more than usual, you really need to take care of your body. To relieve pain, go to a massage salon a few times a month. You can also get a massage chair for your home or even just a compact neck massager you can carry wherever you want to and use it when you feel your neck and muscles become stiff. Massage is proven to decrease cortisol levels which are responsible for stress, not to mention the feeling of relaxation that it induces, so this ritual will improve your days.

Move

Besides getting your muscles relaxed, try to include exercise in your daily routine – just a 5-10 minute routine will be more than enough, but if it’s too much, add at least two sessions to your weekly schedule. Exercise is one of the best stress-relievers, and it will also improve your sleep schedule, your appetite and your general well-being. Once you implement it in your routine and you get used to it, it won’t even be that hard to spend a few minutes each morning or evening doing push-ups!

Stress is a silent killer so we have to be proactive in order to mitigate it. Try to include these healthy habits into your days and you will feel better for sure!


Author Bio

Emma Williams is an Australian writer with an MBA in Business Administration and a passion for anything lifestyle related, especially photography.

You can find her on Twitter here.

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