Adults are encouraged to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week to stay in good health, and this can reduce your stress levels too. If you’re currently feeling stressed, anxious, or simply wish to feel a little calmer, carry on reading for plenty of ways you can unwind and relieve stress at work. Use them to help others identify signs of burnout and create more balance in their lives. Progressive muscle relaxation involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups (e.g., legs, stomach, back) in a sequence to help you better understand the differences between these sensations. Among many benefits, progressive muscle relaxation has been found to reduce salivary cortisol levels, anxiety, heart rate, and blood pressure (Varvogli & Darviri, 2011).
Exercise, but make it daily
A licensed therapist can share effective stress management techniques. In small doses, stress can be beneficial, helping us stay focused and alert. However, prolonged stress can be harmful, affecting our physical health, leading to issues like headaches, insomnia, and high blood pressure. It can also impact our mental health, contributing to anxiety, depression, and irritability. Similarly, you could take a few minutes to find a local exercise class or gym to try out. You could also explore the range of online classes that are available, if you prefer a home workout.
Talk to friends and family
The proof is in her ever-piling browser tabs and newsletters, which help her stay on top of the latest wellness trends. When she’s not researching sustainable alternatives to her everyday products, Lauren is likely attempting to make a dent in her “TBR” book pile. how to destress after work You may be able to diminish work stress by changing certain habits. Dr. Lassen recommends keeping a “toolbox” to use in moments of stress that can include words of self-affirmation, calming or joyful pictures and a journal to help write away any negative thoughts.
How to prevent and avoid work stress: 11 strategies
Breathe deeply through your nose, actively expanding your stomach upward, pushing upward on your hand while keeping your chest still. Exhale with slightly puckered lips, expelling all the air from your stomach. Take it slow, and repeat up to 10 times (University of Michigan Health, 2020). Stress https://ecosoberhouse.com/ is a destabilizer and a catalyst for other health problems because it messes with the optimal state of balance in our bodies, also known as homeostasis (Schneiderman, Ironson, & Siegel, 2005). You’ll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.
- Plus, journaling provides a tangible record of your journey, allowing you to track your progress, celebrate achievements, and learn from past experiences.
- Whether it’s to yourself or with a friend, talking can help tamper down your stress level.
- Memani said he has responded to the letter written by Anita Augustine to him and promised all support apart from more steps to improve the system.
- Seeking professional help through therapy can allow you to develop coping strategies for managing stress.
How to De-Stress After Work: 11 Tips to Unwind
If you want to know how to de-stress after work but don’t want to have to make much effort, meditation might be just what you’ve been looking for. Bring awareness to the present moment, ease your mind, and promote relaxation. De-stressing after a long day of work with meditation is a proven practice that reduces stress, increases focus, and supports mental well-being.
World’s Largest Positive Psychology Resource
Playing an uplifting song while you make breakfast can help you start the day off feeling better prepared to interact with the people in your life. Likewise, combating the stress of a long day with your favorite music on the drive home can help you wind down and feel less stressed when you get there. To combat stress and burnout, employers are increasingly offering benefits like virtual mental health support, spontaneous days or even weeks off, meeting-free days, and flexible work scheduling. Despite these efforts and the increasing number of employees buying into the importance of wellness, the effort is lost if you don’t actually recover. So, if you feel like you’re burning out, what works when it comes to recovering from stress? Enlisting support can also entail having someone to gently remind you to refocus your thoughts and energy if you start getting bogged down by stressful thoughts of work.
Employee Burnout Increasing During the Pandemic
- Identifying and recording stressful situations can help you understand what’s bothering you.
- For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.
- For most of our day, we don’t think about breathing – our body breathes for us.
- From minor challenges to major crises, stress is part of life.
Get musical and be creative
