5 ways to say goodbye to work stress

It’s easy to let work get on top of us sometimes, but try these techniques to help you leave your work worries behind!

1. Be Aware – Take note of how the stress can affect you personally – you’d be surprised that it doesn’t always present itself in obvious ways! Some of the subtle signs of stress include low energy, headaches, insomnia, and changes in appetite, digestive issues, rapid heart rate, sweating, low self-esteem, and frequent illness.

2. Take Note – Now you know what to look out for, it can sometimes help to keep a journal to help you understand what’s bothering you. Try and write down your stress triggers for 1 – 2 weeks and make sure you add as much detail as possible – people, places and events that gave you a physical, mental, or emotional response! Ask yourself how you felt, what your reaction was, and ways it could have been resolved, and this should help prepare your reactions for similar situations!

3. Take Care – Set aside some time to take care of yourself! When we’re leading such busy lives it’s easy to forget that we need to make sure we have some alone time too! This means prioritising your sleeping, eating, and setting some time aside for your own personal fun – whether this is reading a book, watching a TV series, or having a long bath or shower! After doing this you’ll find you’re able to tackle work issues much more effectively.

4. Relax – Learning a relaxation technique can truly be a lifesaver! It allows you purposefully slow down and become conscious of your surroundings, as well as keeping you relaxed during the week. Meditation, deep breathing exercises and mindfulness can all help towards calming any anxieties. Make a habit of using the technique daily and you can even schedule in five minutes in the day to use your newfound technique!

5. Balance – It’s tempting to be on the ball all of the time to make sure you’re keeping on top of your workload, but it’s so very important to leave work at the office and create clear boundaries between your work and home life. It is tricky in this current climate as sometimes working from the dining room table is the only option, but at the end of the day you should tidy your workspace and put work behind you for the evening. Use your newfound freedom to relax or socialise, and if you really feel the need to check those emails then give yourself a time limit and stick to it – establishing rules is key!