Whether you work from home or in an office setting, many of us often take our jobs home with us without realizing it. Job stress can seep in during times we’re supposed to be relaxing, and instead of making the most of our non-work lives, we’re combating anxiety about the next workday. Read on for a few simple tips to leave job stress at work and embrace mindfulness once you sign off for the day.
1. Tie Up Loose Ends Before You Leave Work
One of the best ways you can leave job stress at work is to prepare yourself before you leave. To cut down on after-hours troubleshooting, prepare a to-do list that highlights the priority tasks you want to accomplish the next day. This practice will not only organize your workload, but it can help you to leave feeling that things are taken care of. Bonus: You will start the next day knowing exactly what you want to tackle first. To jot down this to-do list, use a reliable pen like the STEEL G-402 Gel Retractable Pen. It has rapid dry ink (RDI) technology, so you won’t need to worry about smears or smudging—even if you’re left-handed.
2. Take a Walk or Go for a Run
Stepping outside for some fresh air is a great way to change your scenery and start the transition from work to home life for the night. Brisk walking, and other cardiovascular exercise like running, has been shown to boost endorphins, which can reduce stress hormones and alleviate mild depression. Any activity that boosts your heart rate and causes you to get a bit sweaty will help relieve some of your stress, so you’re better prepared to tackle tomorrow.
3. Start a Journaling Practice
Journaling is a highly effective tool for stress relief and can take several forms, so you can rest assured there is a type of journaling that will best fit your needs. A gratitude journal can help you focus on what you are grateful for and create a more positive mood in the moment. You can also use journaling as an emotional release by identifying triggers of stress and then exploring more positive reframing. Whichever way you prefer to journal, make sure to use a dependable pen that won’t interrupt your thought process. Choose Different with the stylish Sarasa Grand Gel Retractable Pen. It features a weighted brass barrel in 6 fashionable colors and fast drying gel ink for the ultimate writing experience.
4. Embrace Stress
This may sound contradictory, but new research has shown that embracing stress can help you become less affected by it. In a viral Ted Talk, Health Psychologist Kelly McGonigal discusses how stress can make us stronger, smarter and happier—if we learn how to open our minds to it. The initial research showed that viewing stress as a helpful part of life, rather than as harmful, is associated with better health, emotional wellbeing and productivity at work—even during periods of high stress. This approach can be used to build resiliency over a longer period of time.
5. Cook Something Delicious
Nutritious and delicious food can improve your mood while fueling your body and mind. When we get overwhelmed, we tend to reach for a quick and unhealthy snack that can make us feel slow and tired. Keeping your hands busy while cooking a meal is a great way to help relax and allow yourself to put the stressors in the back of your mind.
No matter how stressful work can be, remember to prioritize yourself and create a daily practice of activities that enforce a better work-life balance. These tips and tricks, when used over the long term, can help you relax and set yourself up for success both professionally and personally.
