Tips to Reduce and Manage Workplace Stress

In today’s economy, many of us find it harder than ever to in the workplace. Regardless of occupation, seniority or salary level, we’re spending more of our work days feeling frazzled instead of alert and relaxed. Stress is normal yet excessive stress can interfere with your productivity as well as physical and emotional health.

Consider the following tips:

Recognize warning signs of excessive stress at work: irritability, lost confidence, withdrawn, fatigue. Knowledge is power and a good first step is recognizing the signs before they overwhelm you.

• Go to your happy place: If you don’t want to feel stressed, think of another emotion and make it happen. Thinking yourself out of stress can do wonders. Your brain is the most powerful tool that you have, so use it.
• Walk it out: Just five minutes of exercise can help enhance your frame of mind and increase your overall efficiency. After a walk, workers can feel up to 30 percent happier and be 15 percent more productive, so grab a friend or an iPod and get moving.
• Get out in the sun: Removing yourself from the situation that's causing your stress can be a huge relief in itself. With a little bit of sunshine–and the all-important vitamin D it helps your body manufacture–you will come back to your desk with a fresh new attitude.
• Back off from the computer: Magazines, a book, a picture of your kiddos or spouse or just a quick peruse of your favorite site can take your mind off your stress and absorb you in something other than work. Taking a mental break to do something you enjoy that's easy on the brain may offer just the relief that you need.
• Breathe deeply and often: This may sound ridiculously simple, but closing your eyes and taking a deep breath may be the only stress reliever you need. Yoga fans know that doing exercises that enhance breathing and put you in tune with your core improve your well-being. Take a cue from their approach at work; just save the yoga moves for outside the office.

Don’t stress out about these suggestions. Simply “try it on” for a day or two and consider the results. They may surprise you. Enjoy your week and have less stress!