The most valuable thing you will ever have is your health – your physical and mental health. Here are seven ways to help you keep strong.
Running a business is stressful, but you shouldn’t let stress get in the way of your productivity. Here are seven tips for you and your employees to help de-stress at work and get more from the day.
1. Turn off your phone
Studies have found that people’s stress levels are increasingly related to their use of electronic devices, in particular, their relationship with social media. Not only will notifications on your phone distract you from work, but there is also a growing body of evidence that these updates can have an adverse impact on one’s mood. At a minimum, switching your phone off will cut-out unnecessary distractions and let you focus on what needs to get done.
2. Clean your desk
A cluttered desk is often a sign of a cluttered mind. Clearing your desk should also have the effect or organising your work, and give you the psychological boost of feeling like you are on top of things.
3. Cut down on emails
Logging into your inbox in the morning or after a break and finding a mountain of emails to get through can be one of the leading causes of stress. There are some ways to cut down on email volume, but the most obvious tip is to simply pick-up the phone and call the person, particularly when some back and forth messages have failed to reach the outcome you need. Another tip is where you just have a quick question, but the query in the email headline and leave the body blank. This may not cut down on the number of emails you receive, but at least they’ll be brief.
4. Be mindful
If your HR department has a wellness initiative, they may have a mindfulness programme. If not, there are a wealth of mindfulness meditations online that you can use. Taking time throughout the day, especially at times of stress, to practice mindfulness can boost your productivity and improve your overall sense of well-being.
5. Go for a walk
Exercise releases endorphins, while fresh air and a change of scenery can be great for clearing the head. If you’re having a moment of stress, getting up from your desk and going for a walk outside is a good way to break up the day and give a few minute’s relief.
6. Have a perspective reminder
Keep a memento on your desk that tells you why you are there, or reminds you of another time or space where you feel relaxed and happy. This can be a photo of your kids, a souvenir from a great holiday, whatever works for you. The idea is that during a moment of work-related stress, you’ll be reminded that there’s more to life than the issue you’re currently facing.
7. Be early
Start leaving the house 15-30 minutes earlier than usual and see what benefits it brings to the rest of your work day. The extra time at your desk in the morning might give you a head start on your emails, or give you a chance to grab breakfast and chat with some colleagues. The less rushed you feel in the morning, the less likely you are to feel caught for time for the rest of the day.
Article by Peter Flanagan.
Images from Shutterstock.
