Stress relief at the office

By Tonia Jordan

Let's face it: Working in an office can be extremely stressful. You've got deadlines to meet, working in close-quarters with coworkers, and most people don't get a window to view the outside world every once in a while. All the things office workers do can add up to a huge amount of stress, so let's take a look at a few simple ways to relieve stress at work.

If you think stress-relief is silly, think again. Stress can lead to physical illness and poor performance at work. It's important maintain physical and mental health (not just at work, but in all areas of your life), and completing a few stress-relieving activities can help you do this. Here are some I've come across:

Take a break. It may seem obvious, but many of us get so wrapped up in what we're doing that we can forget to take a breath every once in a while. Every couple hours, try to stop what you're doing and do something else, something relaxing. Either get up and take a short walk, talk to a coworker, or take a glance out of a nearby window. The point is to do something else, something to give yourself a break with an activity that brings you relief or a feeling of calm.

Joke. While I can't condone using office email for jokes or personal matters, laughter really can be the best stress-reliever. Other than emailing jokes, some other ways to share happiness could be placing a comical daily calendar in the office, putting up inspirational quotes (not just about job productivity, but about finding happiness in life), or even talking with a coworker about something lighthearted or humorous. The idea is to lighten the atmosphere and your own mood.

Celebrations. It can seem trivial, but celebrating holidays and birthdays can really break up the monotony of the office environment. Depending on the number of employees, consider having a special lunch or treats offered in celebration of a birthday. If there are a large number of employees, have one monthly celebration for all upcoming holidays and birthdays. Not only will these special treats break up the day, but they'll encourage coworkers to get to know one another.

Take your lunch break. Too often, we work through our lunch break, or we take our break at our desk which will almost always lead to working. While it's sometimes necessary, if you can, take your lunch break away from your work. Go to a break room and relax while you eat, or better yet, get out of the office. You'll enjoy your lunch much more if you're not concentrating on work (and stress) while you're taking your break.

What do all of these have in common? That should be simple to figure out - break up your day. Don't work non-stop for your eight or nine hour shift. Remember that the quality of your life is important, too. Take care of yourself and you'll be better at your job.

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