Ways To Destress At Your Desk
Stress is something that nobody wants to have to deal with on a daily basis. Unfortunately we cannot completely eliminate all stress from our work days but learning about how to manage in the best ways to help stay productive can help. For example, taking a short break to have a walk outside with a friend or to grab a quick snack can be great to get away from the stress that lies within a computer screen. But what about those days that are so busy and leaving your office is just not an option? Well, rather than sitting staring at the clock for minutes on end, why not try some of these techniques to help de-stress so you can get back to productivity as soon as possible with a clear open mind.
Squeeze in some stretching
When you are sitting at your desk for long periods at a time, your body will naturally begin to tense up. Your shoulders will hunch and your back will become tight, turning you into a big ball of stress. This is when you need to start considering stretching, adding it into your daily routine as often as possible. All you need to do is stand up and do what feels good. Loosen your body, stretch out your arms, twist around comfortably or just do whatever feels right for you at that moment in time. It is really worthwhile to get out of your chair to do a few quick stretches at least once an hour, it will give your mind a chance to reboot and your body will feel so much more refreshed and ready to be productive.
Focus on your breathing
The way you breathe can have a deep impact on your day-to-day comfort and wellbeing. We are all guilty of forgetting to focus on our breathing. It is very common for people to actually subconsciously hold their breath especially when concentrating or when stressed about something. This is when we need to take a step back, take a few deep breaths and focus on nothing other than the fact you are inhaling and exhaling. When you take a minute before reacting to something that may be causing you distress, it will be easier to put it into perspective and deal with the issue peacefully.
Try Coloring
One of the most productive forms of stress relief is to step away from what you are doing. You might be unbelievably busy with emails but spending just a few minutes coloring can give you the therapeutic power to relax your mind and provide you with motivation to refocus and work even harder. It may sound strange but adult coloring books have been trending for a while as it allows people to tap into their creative side, letting their brains take a break. Some of the coloring book designs available, such as mandalas, are known to have an almost mediation effect on the brain, helping to relax your mind.
Listen to music
One of the best ways to destress is distracting yourself by listening to music. It is useful to search for playlists called chill or calm to find the most relaxing music possible to help you drift away from the stressful work day.
Do a mini workout
This is totally dependent on how comfortable you are as well as how flexible your office is. If you are working on your own time, a brief workout might be just what you need in the middle of a stressful day. Not only will it reduce your stress levels massively but it can also help you to reach fitness goals. You don’t even have to leave your office, a quick 2 minute plank every so often can be enough to rejuvenate your mind and distract you from the hectic day. Here at Primary, our members are lucky enough to have access to a range of different fitness classes, providing them with the boost of energy they may need to destress.
Meditate
Meditation is the most frequently suggested when it comes to stress relief for good reason. It is proven to reduce stress levels and can be done anywhere at anytime. If you are new to meditation and find the idea of attending a class with others daunting, headspace is an easy to use app that provides a guided introduction, providing you with positive results. Even if you are skeptical of the idea it might surprise you and you will never know if you don't give it a try!
When trying to eliminate stress, you need to work out what is best for you. Desk workouts are the cure for some people whereas others love to take a break by doing some coloring. Experiment until you find the solution that is best for you and helps to melt your stress away.