How many people do you know in your office or business who are running around like headless chickens, trying to get things done? More than you can count, probably. Everyone is in a basic level of stress all day long, only allowing themselves to let it go when they get home in the evening.
But this type of stress usually isn’t conducive to good work, both short- and long-term. In the short run, you’re dedicating mental resources to your stress so it is harder to just concentrate on what you need to do. And in the long-term, you get burned out by the constant activation of your nervous system and, eventually, your work suffers.
For these reasons, remaining relaxed at work is a bit of a superpower. People who can do it often seem to float through their careers. Nothing disturbs them.
In this post, we take a look at some of the ways you can achieve perfect relaxation at work so all of the stresses and strains on the day just bounce right off you.
Become Aware Of Your Breathing
Most westerners breathe by heaving the chest up and down. But if you watch how children breathe, it’s different: they breathe through the stomach, allowing it to protrude.
Sometimes called diaphragmatic breathing, this type of abdominal breathing helps to relax the nervous system. You’ll notice that after you take a few inhalations using this method, you feel calmer than you did before. It doesn’t get rid of stress completely, but it does show you that there are things you can do to take the edge off it.
Essential oils are powerful tools and can change the way you feel. Lavender, for instance, has tremendous calming properties on the mind and can help you feel immensely peaceful while you work. Even if you get angry emails from your boss, it doesn’t take you out of your state of flow.
If you work from home, you can use a diffuser. These create a fine mist of water and essential oils, filling your entire working environment with a beautiful smell.
Take Time Out At Lunch
Working all day from 9 am until 6 pm without taking a break from your work is actually counterproductive. It makes you much more stressed.
Instead, take time out. If you have a joint case, take it with you so that you can spend some time unwinding alone. Relaxing while you eat and drink is critical for putting your body into a healthy mode.
Go Outside
If you work in any major city, you’ll notice that there are always people who take time at lunch to go outside and get some fresh air. There are good reasons for this: simply being outside can help you relax tremendously. What’s more, it can set you up for a more productive week by assisting your sleep patterns. More exposure to bright sunlight during the day helps to create hormonal conditions at night that are more conducive to sleep.
