Stress Relief | Stress Management Tips

How to Find Stress Relief at Work

If you're like most people, you probably experience work-related tensions and often look for ways to find stress relief.

At home you might search for stress management tips on the Web, or get help managing stress from a family member or friend. But at the office, you're generally on your own with limited stress relief resources.

Take heart. Here are some things you can do.

See if your employer offers stress relief strategies. Some companies publish or promote stress management tips for employees. Others organize seminars on the topic of managing stress. If no programs currently exist, consider approaching your supervisor about stress management tips. You can take another employee with you to show that your interest involves more than one person.

Organize an anti-stress zone. Find a quiet corner or unused room and stock it with soothing elements, after checking with your employer, of course. Soft music with headphones, a deck of cards, fresh fruit, and a comfortable stuffed chair or sofa along with escapist reading material (yes, even tabloids) can take your mind off the task at hand and zoom you away to a secluded spot for 10 or 15 minutes.

Use physical activity to reduce the stress at your job. While seated at your desk, flex your legs straight from the knee. Point toes forward and then up in a gentle movement to stretch your muscles. Watch how you sit. Try to remember to keep your back straight or slightly curved, not rounded or hunched. Keep feet flat on the floor while working. Occasionally look away from the computer screen and blink to rest your eyes. Get up and take a five-minute walk to relieve stiff or cramped muscles.

Examine your environment to make it user-friendly. Look for ways to pump fresh air into your room. Use a small area fan or heater if the temperature is uncomfortable. Adjust lighting so you don't have to squint or blink against glare. You'd be surprised to know how much of a role your surroundings can play in stress relief.

Go to the gym or organize a lunchtime walkers' group with other employees. You don't need to work up a major sweat to get the benefits. Simply walk a few blocks to enjoy fresh air and sunshine. Research shows that this can relieve stress as much as antidepressants can. In addition, eat healthy foods, including more fruits and vegetables and less fried or greasy meats and fats.

A few basic steps like these will help you in managing stress before tensions start to adversely impact your health.

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