Even if you love your job, there are just some days that can make you feel stressed at work. Whether it’s a supply chain issue, conflicting demands or a particularly challenging project, hurdles pop up daily that can really put the pressure on. Stress at work can result in a whole host of issues, none of which are fun. These include high blood pressure, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances and short fuses. It’s important to take your stressors seriously to improve your work performance as well as your work-life balance and general well-being.
Let’s look at some healthy ways to deal with stress at work. Read on to learn some tips to deal with workplace stress so you can make it to the end of your workday successfully and generally cope with stress better!
Tip #1: Hone Your Time Management and Prioritization Skills
Some days, it’s all we can do to face our jobs, tackle the challenges that come with them, and complete all our tasks within the allotted timeframe. Many workers have a difficult time prioritizing their goals and projects. As a result, being overwhelmed or feeling under pressure significantly adds to stress levels. Take a moment to set realistic goals when you consider all of what you need to accomplish. List these goals out on your calendar or a to-do list, then prioritize them to determine which item you need to take care of first.
Tip #2: Breathe
When workplace stress ramps up, breathe. When stress levels are up and we experience anxiety, the body releases adrenaline, which will catapult you into that dreaded fight-or-flight mode. Taking a moment to take a breath of fresh air is helpful, as are different breathing and meditation techniques that will help alleviate some of the symptoms of stress. The 4-7-8 breathing technique is a simple one that can be done anywhere, including at your desk. Follow these steps:
- Sit with your back straight and keep the tip of your tongue on the back of your upper teeth.
- Breathe out through the mouth, making a “whooshing” sound.
- Close your mouth, and count to 4 while breathing in through your nose.
- Count to 7 while you hold your breath.
- Count to 8 when breathing out through the mouth.
- Inhale through the nose.
- Repeat 3 times.
Tip #3: Take Care of Your Physical Health
Your physical and mental health are directly affected by how you care for your body. When our health is not optimal, this can increase stress levels at work. Taking a walk around your workplace’s building can remove you from a stressful work situation and can invigorate your body and muscles. Pack healthy lunches to avoid the fast-food pitfall. Incorporate daily exercise to get those feel-good endorphins flowing. Over time, good physical health can help you combat work-related stress and other stressors.
Tip #4: Treat Yourself
After a particularly stressful day, a little treat to yourself can help you appreciate your efforts and give you something to look forward to. Treat yourself to a massage, a pedicure or a facial. Have a special place you love to go, such as the beach, a favorite store or a restaurant? Make a point to visit it on the way home from work.
Love chocolate? Have a piece of dark chocolate to help you decompress from your day! Dark chocolate is not only delicious, it has also been shown to have health benefits. It’s a great source of antioxidants like polyphenols, catechins and flavanols. Some studies have shown it can help prevent heart disease and high cholesterol; it may help protect your skin from the sun; it can improve your brain function; and it is packed full of even more goodness. In fact, a 100-gram bar of 70-85% cocoa contains:
- 11 grams of fiber
- 66% of your daily value (DV) iron needs
- 196% copper DV
- 85% manganese DV
- 57% magnesium DV
If you want to get your hands on some delicious, premium-quality dark chocolate, then Chocolate Pizza Company is the place for you! Our chocolate is made from a blend of premium chocolate and homemade English toffee for an incredible taste and mouthfeel. Enjoy our Dark Chocolate Almond Bark or Dark Chocolate Break-Ups, or check out our delectable dark chocolate Chocolate Pizza options. In fact, why not order some for your entire team to spread the dark chocolate benefits with your colleagues?
