There are a lot of ways to skin a cat, as the saying goes. The same is true for handling stress – there are many ways to cope with it. A lot of people suffer from stress and not know it, because most think that stress is just related to strenuous activity. This is a wrong way to view stress, as it can also come from merely sitting in front of a computer all day.
In fact, several researches have shown that people who are subject to repetitive tasks are more prone to high stress levels than people who perform different jobs every time they report for work. Those who operate in an office environment are more likely to suffer from stress. This is because routine is boring, and boredom is often the first indicator of stress.
So how can we effectively manage stress without first losing our heads? Some experts say engaging in relaxation techniques help. Meditation, or simply visiting a quiet place where there are no distractions, can already do wonders. Some say closing our eyes for at least five minutes and clearing our minds of all negative thoughts help. Whatever method you choose to use, it almost always involves a certain degree of detachment from whatever it is that is causing our stress.
Stress management tip 1:
Savor your break times.
Treat your break times as alone times. Sure, while you’re working, you’re alone. But being alone and not doing anything is a welcome respite to routinous work. Use this time, no matter how short, to reflect on the positive things that happened during the day. If, at first, you don’t see anything positive and feel that the day has been nothing but a nuisance so far, look at the brighter side of things. Think that, at least, despite the hassles of the day, you are able to enjoy some time to reflect and bask in the silence.
Stress management tip 2:
Socialize.
If alone-time only makes you feel more isolated, you may use your breaks to chat briefly and mingle with your work mates. Sometimes, a social support system helps in strengthening and boosting your morale for the day. Engage in positive conversations and try to avoid topics that will only aggravate your stress, especially if your stressor is work-related.
Stress management tip 3:
Find your happy place.
It’s not impossible for you to be somewhere else while you’re at your work desk. This is what imagination can do for you. If you’re too stressed to think and imagine, you can surf the Internet for amusing Web and office-game sites to get your mind off your busy day for a while. You will also find that cleaning out your desk and getting rid of the clutter will help clear your head and reduce stress. Seeing your desk in order reduces the distractions.
You don’t really need to enrol in stress management classes and spend so much in order to get rid of stress. A little creativity and positive thinking will already work wonders for your mood for the day. Smile and look at the bright side of things. As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade.