When you engage in self-care activities, it brings you joy and relieves stress, resulting in a healthy mental state and well-being. Work-related stress is something that everyone battles if they are in a work atmosphere that spews toxicity and harassment.
How to reduce work stress – Self-care tips that work!
Everyone who has worked either in the 9-5 setup or has been a freelancer at some point felt the pressure of work-related stress. It could be related to many things, but maintaining priorities and boundaries can often be the first step to reducing stress levels.
Here are some ways that can help you with reducing work-related stress:
Create a healthy work-life balance.
We are often set with a task to please everyone, even if it means we have to say no. We choose a yes because of many internal conflicts. Be it work pressure, unpleasant superiors to work with, or even a toxic work environment. When choosing a healthy work-life balance, you establish clear boundaries by setting time for yourself when needed.
Track your stressors.
Maintain a journal to track stressors. List down work situations that have created stress or a feeling of unrest. This has always helped me to recognize patterns that are often repeated. Recording your thoughts and information about the circumstances and how you reacted sets a starting point for you to work on that environment or situation. Taking notes can help you find patterns that trigger stress.
Establish boundaries.
The pandemic saw a shift to a WFH scenario, and with it came the pressure to be available 24 hours a day. Late-night calls and more work responsibilities became a norm and the much-needed weekend break was bleak. What is important in a situation like this is to establish work-life boundaries that help. Make a rule to avoid checking mails when you have logged out. Creating clear boundaries helps to reduce work-life conflict and the stress that goes with it.
Must read: 7 Japanese philosophies to practice
Take time to recharge.
To avoid chronic stress and burnout, it is essential that you switch off. Ensure you do not indulge or engage in work-related activities when you switch off. This is your recovery period from stress. That’s why it’s critical that you disconnect regularly that n a way that fits your needs and preferences. On a vacation? Don’t check those emails! Let your team know that work can wait during your time off. Doing this will help you to rejuvenate and feel refreshed.
Limit time spent on social media
Social media can often be a rabbit hole that makes you question your capabilities and abilities. If your work involves social media, don’t compare, but learn. Often what works for others may not work for your client. I worked around this to learn and grow by using what the competitors were doing on social media. Everything is a learning, if you feel daunted by something, it is time that you relook at your approach.
How to reduce work stress and anxiety with self-care?
All you need is a few self-care tips to reduce stress at work. This can follow what we have mentioned above, and also, here are some easy ways to maintain self-care on various levels.
Self-care on a physical level:
- Go for a brisk walk
- Eating healthy food
- Avoid emotional eating
- Engage in physical activities
- A hot shower to unwind at the end of the day
- Aromatherapy can help to soothe frayed nerves
- Spending time in the sunshine is a great mood enhancer
- Keeping away gadgets at least an hour before you sleep
Self-care to take care of your mental health:
- Engage in mindfulness exercises
- Spending time listening to music
- Developing a hobby that brings you joy
- Taking time out to read a book or a novel
Self-care to take care of your spiritual well-being:
- Having a conversation with a friend.
- Experience nature by connecting with it through a walk.
- Practicing prayer or meditation or even regulating your breathing.
- Practicing gratitude. List at least three things that you are grateful for every day.
Must read: 15 ways to grow every day
“This post is part of Blogchatter’s CauseAChatter.”
Work life balance,boundaries and recharging is crucial for me working and living in a happy state.Great tips Pratibha.