How to Beat Workplace Stress (Part II)

Method 2 Stress Relief Outside of the Office

1) Leave your work at the office. Although some professions, such as school teachers, rely heavily on grading after hours, you can probably make a conscious effort to separate work from home life. Ignore work emails and calls. (If you telecommute or work from home, it is still important to leave work to certain hours of the day. You can find yourself feeling as though your work day never stops, if you do not turn off the computer or forward telephone calls to your voice mail.)

2) Exercise regularly. Health professionals suggest you should get at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise per day in order to maintain a healthy heart and lungs. Find a class or exercise you love to do, and the endorphins that you release will reduce the ill effects of stress on the body.

3) Take a class or become a volunteer. Some studies have shown that spending time on yourself directly reduces stress caused by work. This dedication to education or the community will help you feel as though your life is well-rounded, relaxed and more fulfilled.

4) Eat a balanced diet. The tendency during a stressful period is to eat a lot of empty calories and carbohydrates. Plan your snacks and meals ahead of time, so that you have the fuel you need to do your work. (Eat or snack before you have any large tasks to accomplish. It is not a good idea to go into a presentation, meeting or important phone call with a completely empty stomach. Your body responds to the good proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats by giving you the energy you need to excel mentally.)

5) Focus on sleeping well. You should dedicate around 8 hours of your night to sleep. Count in 1 hour for relaxing and unplugging your devices before going to bed and 1 hour to wake up.

Source: www.wikihow.com