According to study information gathered by OECD, The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the average person spends an average of 1000-2000 hours a year working, with no changes in different countries.
We all know work can be, and usually is, exhausting whether it be a physical, spiritual, emotional, or just plain energy exhaustion, it can be very taxing to work long hours, no matter the job. Some have to handle annoying customers, angry bosses, and excessive workloads. The situation often becomes very stressful, and that only causes more trouble in the long run.
This is why it is very important to learn and understand how to become calm, collected, and under control while at work. This is not only good for our health, but also the efficiency of work.
Here are a few quick and effective ways to relax at work:
1. Comply with a fixed time to rest (once per 20 minutes for example) and go for a walk:
This can be quite important if you are a person who frequently uses a computer. Walking is also a great way to help the circulation of blood throughout the body which lets your brain think and process clearly. It makes you feel more alert and helps you pay attention, which will increase the efficiency of your work.
Also, for those spending numerous hours at a computer, I recommend a software called Eyerelax, which can set a fixed time to rest. This causes the screen to become dim, reminding the user that it is time to rest their eyes for a short while.
2. Care about the blue light:
If you are someone who constantly works with electronic devices, such as computers, laptops, cellphones, and/or tablets, remember to avoid the device’s blue light, which is the main reason for eye strain. I recommend wearing blue light-filtering glasses, or using a blue light filter program on your computer.
3. Do some stretching exercises:
When you hold a gesture for too long, you will find that your muscles become stiff, and ache. To avoid this, do some simple stretching exercise to loosen those tight muscles and relax your body.
If you sit at a desk for a long period of time, try stretching your neck by rolling your head in a circle, all the while trying to loosen the neck muscles. Turn your head from side to side and up and down. Try closing your eyes and imagining your muscles relaxing. Doing this has been proven to help with neck tension, stiffness, and helps blood flow.
If you are one of those who stands on their feet all day, try stretching out your back and sides. Stand with your feet firmly on the ground, approximately should width apart. Now, twist the upper torso of your body slowly from side to side. This will loosen up your back muscles and re-align your spine, releasing tension throughout your body.
4. Listening to relaxing music.
Listen to some relaxing music to help you relax when working and it will help you increase your productivity as well.
“In biological terms, melodious sounds help encourage the release of dopamine in the reward area of the brain, as would eating a delicacy, looking at something appealing or smelling a pleasant aroma”, said Dr. Amit Sood of the Mayo Clinic. “Melodious sounds” are positive additions to the office, rather than a distraction” Source
There are many suitable music for work or relaxing at YOUTUBE, just type “music for work,” or “work music” in search the bar, and you will find lots of music available.
5. Have a stress-free daydream.
Allow your mind to wander. Daydreaming is a good way to get the creative juices flowing.It is also a great way to relieve yourself of stress. Think of your “happy place” or an event that makes you feel calm and joyful. Make up your own little place in your mind. It can have its own look, smells, people, and even imaginary creatures. So long as it is coming from your imagination, and is somewhere you can retreat to when necessary.
6. Take a deep breath.
We all have heard the saying, “Just take a deep breath.” Well, there actually is scientific reasoning for this. Steady breathing that is full and deep, can actually increase the oxygen in your blood. This helps to clear your head, as well as replenish parts of your body, such as your brain, with clean, fresh oxygen. It also releases unwanted toxins, such as carbon dioxide.
7. Wherever you are, smile.
There are many times that we do not feel like smiling, but did you know that it actually proven that a person who even fakes a smile, genuinely feels happier and more rejuvenated? Not to mention the benefits of building healthy relationships when you smile. Smile at colleagues, superiors, clients, you name it! Smile at yourself, and even more importantly, laugh at yourself sometimes.
8. Have a clean working environment.
Clean up and de-clutter your work area of things not related to work, and/or not necessary to maintaining a neat and clean work environment. It will improve your concentration on work and bring you good mood in such environment. Of course, ongoing de-clutter and organization is the key.
9. Positive thinking.
Do not take things too seriously. Almost everything can be solved, or fixed, and most things are not as serious as you think they are. When you encounter something that makes you worry or angry, you can ask yourself, “Will this matter in 10 minutes? An hour? Next year? The rest of my life?” If the extent of how long the subject would matter is shorter than a few weeks, then is there any point in worrying about it? Don’t sweat the small stuff.
10. Squeeze the stress ball
Stress balls, squeeze balls, or a stress reliever ball, is a soft ball which could be squeezed, rolled, even thrown. Do not underestimate the effects that squeezing, rolling, or throwing a squeeze stress ball can have on your mind, body, and mood. It can send happy signals to your brain, which can be transmitted over the unhappy mood.
Conclusion
We all become stressed, but it is important to realize that we all must deal with daily stresses. The key is how we handle these situations. Not allowing yourself to become overwhelmed, and following some of these tips, are the first steps.
Are there other effective ways to relax I missed?
Share techniques that work well for you below.
P.S.
There is another good way to eliminate your stress and fatigue after a workday.
It is relaxing bath after work which is what I most want to do after a busy day.
