Lifestyle

5 Top Tips To De-Stress In Your Workplace

Brittany Tijou-Smith 477 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Having a relentless job can make you stressed with the endless deadlines and the constant pressure to stay organised, so here’s 5 easy ways to de-stress yourself in your lunch-break or sat at your desk.

  1. Go for a walk and leave the earphones behind

    Whether you are in the countryside or the city, just a 10 minute walk can help you to relieve tension. The act of just walking and not concentration on anything else lets your mind reflect and be calm as you physically walk away from the place that could cause you stress and pressure. Canterbury Christ Church are encouraging their students to beat exam stress by having a stroll.

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  2. Do yoga

    Office workers can easily spend 8 or more hours, this can cause your muscles to tense and stiffen up. Muscles in your back and neck can be affected by your posture and even the type of chair you sit in. However, many people find yoga to be very effective to ease the muscles and relax either at work or afterwards. Some companies may have a dedicated ‘quiet’ area where you can stretch and refresh. This activity increases your flexibility, oxygen intake, muscle tone and general strength, therefore making you feel better.

    Jo Streeter, courtesy of Facebook.

     

    Jo Streeter, owner of Teal Poppy Consulting in Faversham, said: “I first started yoga as a way to tone and stretch my body but mainly to de-stress.

    “For many years I had a demanding and stressful job with 24/7 responsibilities, making it hard to mentally switch off.

    “Whilst a rewarding form of exercise, it was the ability to shut everything else out, focus on the class, and re-boot the mind that I found most beneficial. Coming away from an hour-long yoga class feeling energised, refreshed, and ready to take on the next challenge is very powerful. Closing your mind to what ever else is happening in your world, and focusing on your yoga practice, breathing and channelling positive energy, is highly recommended”.

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  3. Reading

    Getting into a good book can really draw you away from the stresses of everyday life. Find a book about something you are interested in, self-improvement, DIY or just a classic novel and you will find yourself transforming your spare time into a journey of learning and enjoyment. It was stated in The Telegraph by Dr David Lewis, a cognitive neuropsychologist that: “Losing yourself in a book is the ultimate relaxation.

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  4. Decorate your work space

    It is truly important to be in harmony with the objects and surroundings around you. De-cluttering your desktop of all things that don’t bring you joy will allow you to feel more organised and able to breathe. You could also bring in some pictures of family members and loved ones to put up on a pin board, as well as a few small plants. If you choose to keep plants on your desk, pick ones that don’t require much care (like succulents), as this would otherwise be another thing to add to your to-do list.

    10 Plants You Can’t Kill: No Green Thumb Needed

    Whistable Interior Designer, Katie Harris explained that you should have, “a few personal bits and bobs – a photo that makes you happy or smile.  I’m a great believer in houseplants – brings the outside in and provides a certain amount of privacy!

    “A disorganised, dark or/and cluttered work area is unappealing for everyone.  It screams of being overburdened and trapped and can cause unnecessary stress.

    “Light is extremely important – as much natural light as possible, but if that is not the case, a thoughtful and layered lighting plan is extremely important.  Nobody wants to work in a dark space lit by flickering, bright fluorescents. Colours are important, jarring brights are a no no. It doesn’t have to be boring but using soothing, natural colours with splashes of colour provides a much better atmosphere”.

  5. Muscle relaxation

    This is another point that ties into what was said under ‘Do yoga’. Melissa Hughes, a freelance beauty therapist and owner of ‘Beauty In The Garden’, suggests that: “Deep breathing from the diaphragm helps to stress levels as it engages the parasympathetic nervous system.”This puts the body into a repairing stage which reduces cortisol, stops the body’s fight, flight or freeze mode. The body’s muscles then can rest and repair”.

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