De-stress at Work

Anyone who has worked in an office before knows that that territory normally comes with stress. Actually, if you think about it, everything in life comes with stress. The only time your stresses will end is when you are dead and buried. Then again, that all depends on where you are going. =)

How can you reduce stress in the workplace? Since it isn't possible to change bosses or careers at the slightest sign of stress every time, you may want to resort to a few simple, very doable techniques:

1. Take a break. -- When you feel that you are at the end of your rope, take a break for a few minutes. Drink some coffee, climb up and down your office stairs, or stare blankly into space. Employees aren't robots so if you are feeling really tense, loosen up.

2. Focus on good things. -- Try to remember what all your work is for. Think of that trip that you can take this coming summer. Look at your kids' photos displayed on your table. Remind yourself about what you can have and/or accomplish because of your job.

3. Pray. -- Say a short prayer for comfort and/or for guidance. Stress usually results when things don't go the way we want them to or when things aren't up to expectations. Prayer has a way of clearing your mind and may lead you to a new way of seeing things. Time in prayer is always time wisely spent.

So the next time you feel stressed at work, count from 1 to 10. Think 10, 20, 30, or 40 years from now. Will the things that you are fussing about still matter or count by then? If the answer is "no," then that should already start reducing your level of stress instantly. =)

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