As many working Americans can tell you, stress can be a natural part of the job. Whether you have an administrative desk job, a front-facing customer service job, or a hands-on trade job, that stress will always manage to come up. However, it’s not just your line of work that can cause stress; according to the American Psychology Association, 76 percent of Americans say that money and finances are a major cause of stress. And naturally, this can bleed both into the workplace and into your home life; it can even affect your relationship with your significant other or spouse.
If you find yourself getting stressed out during the day, here are a few tips and tricks to help alleviate it in the moment:
Take a break if you can.
Most jobs allow for 10-15 minute breaks throughout the day, and these breaks can help you turn off your brain for a few minutes and recharge. Getting away from your desk allows you to move around, take your eyes off your computer screen, chat with a co-worker if you’re in an office, grab a quick snack or beverage, and simply not think about work for a short time. Taking this time to recharge can help make the rest of your work day run more smoothly and give you a boost of energy.
Try out natural stress-busting foods.
Packing a lunch and/or prepping lunches ahead of time will not only save you money each day, but you can also tailor your lunches to incorporate food with natural stress- reducing vitamins and minerals. Certain fish, such as sardines and salmon, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (just be careful using the shared microwave with fish!). Keeping snacks at your desk can also help if your workplace permits it; dark chocolate and pumpkin seeds can help boost your mood.
Learn about the power of deep breathing.
This one you can do from the comfort of your desk, and it doesn’t take long at all. If you find yourself developing stress or anxiety while working, take three to five seconds and close your eyes, and breathe deeply from your belly as you inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Try this a few times and you’ll notice a change in how you feel.
Use acupressure techniques.
This is another easy one. Take the muscle between your thumb and index finger and massage it in small circles – you’ll notice a change in the tension around your hands, shoulders, and neck.