Relaxation Tips for Stress at the Office

The following relaxation tips for stress at the office can help you calm down and unwind in the middle of a hectic work day:

Know Yourself

The symptoms of stress are varied and can range from tension headaches to back pains and sleeplessness. Therefore study yourself so that you can know how your body reacts when you start getting stressed. This knowledge will help you manage the source of your stress and begin practicing relaxation techniques before you succumb to full-blown stress-related illnesses.

Organize your Work Space

Organize your work space by de-cluttering it since clutter contributes to feeling stressed. To do this, tidy your office regularly and place all your items in their designated spots. Make this an ongoing daily process by ensuring that everything that is brought into your office is neatly placed in its nook.

Organize your Work

Before your work day begins, plan how you will do the activities you are expected to do. If possible, develop a routine since engaging in repetitive activities relaxes the body and ensures you will not miss a task.

Meditate

Once you are ready to begin the day’s work, squeeze in a minute or two of meditation to get you in the right frame of mind. To do this, close your eyes and focus on a reassuring Bible verse like I can do all things through Jesus Christ Who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)  

Breathe

Stress often results in taking small, shallow breaths. Therefore counter this response by inhaling deeply until your abdomen rises and exhaling deeply until it drops whenever you begin to feel stressed.

Skip the Coffee

Skip the coffee during your morning break since caffeine can trigger reactions in the body that are similar to those of the stress reaction. Therefore, drink fresh fruit juices or sip green tea since it contains L-Theanine which reduces your body’s responses to stress.

Relax Yourself Progressively

If you find that you are tightly wound because of work-related stress, progressively relax your muscles. To do this, tighten the muscles of your right foot for a few seconds and focus on how they feel. Follow this by relaxing the same muscles and focusing on the sensation so that you can know when those muscles are tense and when they are relaxed. Proceed with this tightening and relaxing of your muscles groups as you work your way up your body until you finish with the muscles on your face.

Eat a Stress-Reducing Lunch

Eat foods that will not affect your mood adversely to avoid aggravating the effects of a stressful workplace. For example, eat sandwiches made from whole wheat bread since they will not cause the rapid changes in blood sugar levels that are associated with the release of stress hormones. For optimum results, finish your lunch with a single square of dark chocolate since studies have shown that it lowers levels of stress hormones and prevents heart disease.

Relax over Lunch

After eating, relax for a few minutes by reading or giving yourself a temple massage. You can also fill crosswords or complete Sudoku puzzles during your lunch break to divert your mind from the stressful events in your work place.

Visualize your Vacation

If you need a vacation because of the stress you are experiencing, but you cannot afford to take one, practice guided imagery. To do this, close your eyes and imagine yourself at your favorite vacation spot. See the sights, hear the sounds, feel the sensations and even taste the food you are eating in your mental vacation.

Dr. Miriam is a freelance writer, Christian blogger and the author of Christian Emotional Healing. She blogs at http://www.christianstressmanagement.com/