On the Edge? Make Use of These Office Stress Busters

Date: 29.11.2011

Stress management and work-life balance are challenging processes that can require a lot of thought, planning, and retooling over time. However, while it’s vitally important to your mental health and career success that you spend time addressing these issues, it’s equally important to have a few techniques up your sleeve that you can call upon when you’re faced unexpectedly with a crisis or a stressful situation. Take a proactive step to turn things around the next time your workday turns sour with these stress management techniques.

• Listen to peaceful music. If your job allows it, slip on some headphones and cue up tranquil nature sounds or a quiet classical quartet.
• Try aromatherapy. Smell is one of the most powerful senses, and a soothing scent can be worth its weight in gold when it comes to stress relief. Purchase a few essential oils such as lemon, juniper, and lavender and take a quick inhalation when the pressure’s on.
• Start your day with a clean slate. Try to spend five minutes at the end of each workday tidying your desk so you won’t feel overwhelmed each morning.
• Stretch away your stress. If your office or cubicle offers a measure of privacy, you might feel comfortable calling on a few favourite yoga poses or stretches during a break when your stress is reaching record-high levels.

Don’t let an unexpected problem ruin your workday. Instead, take the edge off and turn things around with a five-minute stress relief retreat.