It’s an unfortunate truth that millions of Americans must deal with stress every day, whether it’s at work or in their personal lives, and that stress can take a major toll. Those negative feelings aren’t such a big deal in small doses. When they occur every day, however, they can lead to serious physical and mental health issues, from lack of sleep to heart attacks.
For busy professionals, stress is often just regarded as something that comes with the job. Deadlines to meet, long hours to work, and pressure from the higher-ups may leave you feeling and anxious. When your professional life is so tense, it can be difficult to focus on your goals or needs, which can lead to even more worry or an overall feeling of dissatisfaction. But there’s hope. If you can find a way to beat that stress, you can ultimately learn how to channel your focus into more positive things. Keep reading for some wonderful tips on how to reduce stress and anxiety in the workplace and at home.
Get Organized
Disorganization is one of the most common causes of stress for many people, so it’s important to ensure that your home and office are both neat and well-managed. Look for storage solutions at home that will keep your belongings tidy, and declutter once every couple of months to make your living areas open and inviting. At the office, file away all paperwork with a system that works for you, and keep track of your daily responsibilities on a calendar or in a planner. Make lists of things you need to accomplish and cross them off as you go. Getting organized will help you feel better and breathe easier.
Invest in the Right Tools
There are hundreds of products and services out there that are supposed to make your life easier. You shouldn’t waste your hard-earned money on every shiny, new app or gadget, but don’t hesitate to invest in items that save you time or streamline your business. At home, that may mean skipping a trip to the grocery store and signing up for a meal delivery service instead. (As an added bonus, it can help you eat well even when you’re too stressed to plan healthy meals.) At work, it might take the form of a new credit card machine with features that simplify your sales process. The key is to figure out where you are wasting resources and how to.
Hire Some Help
No matter how hard you work, there are times when you simply can’t do everything yourself. After all, you’re only one person! Consider hiring some help when it comes to cleaning the house or running errands; this will free up some of your time to work on more important tasks. These days, you can even hire someone to walk your dog. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when things become overwhelming; this will help you reduce stress immediately.
Get Enough Sleep
Adequate sleep is imperative for everyone, but when you work long hours in a fast-paced environment, you need to keep your wits about you. This means setting a routine that will help you relax at the end of a long day and sticking to a bedtime each night. Put all the screens — laptop, phone, and tablet — away before you lie down, as the blue light can interrupt your sleep.
Eat Right and Exercise
You’ve probably seen this advice in regard to many different problems, but there’s a reason for that: it works. The right diet and exercise can help boost your mood and mental health, keep you fit and energized, and even help you sleep better at night. If you feel that your schedule will interfere with your ability to get active, think of ways you can work out in short bursts. Bring your yoga mat to work and do some stretches on your lunch break, or take a walk around the block. Finding small ways to work in some activity will help you beat stress every day.
Knocking stress out of your life can have major benefits, from boosting your mental and physical health to allowing you to focus on the things that are most important. It can certainly help advance your career, as you’ll be able to meet your goals with renewed energy.
*Submitted by Julie Morris
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