5 Ways to De-Stress During the Work Day
Getting through your workday is not always easy. You probably find yourself putting out fires left and right, just waiting for the magic hour of 5:30 or 6:00 PM when you can log off or do that beautiful ritual of closing your work laptop. While we’re obviously big fans of relaxing and finding ways to de-stress after a long day, it’s equally important to also find easy and simple ways to de-stress during the workday too. Now, if you’re thinking, I’m way too busy and stressed to even think about taking a few minutes to de-stress, I hear you. Take a deep breath, grab a fancy beverage and let’s talk about 5 ways to de-stress during the workday.
Take a Walk Outside
Even if it’s only 5-10 minutes during your lunch break, being outdoors will do wonders for both your productivity and mental health. To make sure that you ACTUALLY follow through with this, it’s always a good idea to make it a habit and try doing it daily. But, until it does become a habit, you can write it down in your planner and also set a reminder on your phone. And, if you want to go above and beyond, which I know you do, consider leaving your phone at home or at the office during your walk. Not having your phone glued to your side will help you to relax and really re-charge during your break.
Meditate for 5 Minutes
Whether you love the idea of meditation or find it too woo woo, there’s no denying that meditation has a calming and transformative effect on your mind and body. A great place to start is using an app called Headspace. It’s super easy, great for beginners and you can start with as little as 1 minute. Even if you’re the busiest person in the world, you can definitely spare a minute out of your chaotic workday. You can either make this a regular habit by meditating at the same time each day, for example, after your 10 AM meeting that always leaves you feeling stressed and frazzled. Or, use it as your go to tool whenever you’re feeling especially wound up. And since I know you’re an overachiever, you might even take this one step further with a Mindfulness planner to track your progress.
Text a Friend
Do you have that friend that you love spending time with but just never get around to following up with? Of course you do, we all do. Taking a few minutes to catch up with a friend or family member can not only help you to de-stress but it can also get you out of your work bubble for a few minutes. It’s easy for work to feel all-consuming so chatting with a friend can be a great reminder that there is a world outside of your work. Plus, we’ve all read a million studies about how relationships are often one of the most important indicators of well-being and happiness.
Eat a Healthy Snack
I don’t know about you, but I love to eat. Having a few healthy snacks on hand can give you some added fuel during the workday. Plus, planning time each morning or afternoon for a snack gives you something to look forward to. When we’re stressed it’s easy to turn to candy, chips, and other junk food, which let’s be honest, is delicious, but leaves you feeling bloated and bad about yourself. The key is to plan ahead. Before you start your week, create a basic meal plan and buy a few healthy snacks like fresh fruits or veggies, protein bites, and make sure that you always have them on hand.
Plan It Out
Often, when we’re feeling stressed it means that we have too much going on in our minds and haven’t taken the time to plan or organize. If you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, you need to dedicate a few minutes to planning and getting organized. Believe me, taking 10 minutes to plan will save you so much time later on. If you’re not sure where to start, try getting a general yearly planner that will allow you to plan out your day and give you space to write down your daily personal and work to do’s. Then, as you become a planning pro, you can branch out and start planning each area of your life like health and wellness or financial goals.
Remember, the more you plan, the more you’ll feel confident, less stressed, and in control of your own life. And before you know it, you’ll begin to flourish.
Watch a plan with me here:
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