It’s the start of another work week and you’re dreading the tasks you have to complete, the presentations you have to give and the pressure you’re feeling form the top brass. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. It’s not easy, but here are some mindfulness tips that will help you to power through the day and lower your stress levels at work:
The easiest way to snap yourself out of a funk is to remind yourself of all the wonderful things you have to be thankful for. Make a list of all the things that make you happy or think of an event you have coming up that you’re really looking forward to and choose to focus on that instead of stressing out.
You may be anxious over an impending project or worried about your multiple deadlines but sometimes, simply talking about a problem can be cathartic. Confide your worries in a co-worker or approach your boss and have a heart-to-heart. Remember, a solution can always be found but if you don’t voice your concerns, no one will know.
The more aware you are of your body the more you can make changes to it to feel better. If you can feel the tension building up in your shoulders, spend 10 minutes taking deep breaths, doing shoulder rolls or meditating to calm yourself down.
It may feel like a ball of gloom has settled in the pit of your stomach but a simple gesture like smiling could reverse that in a heartbeat. Research has shown that smiling can actually lower the heart rate and reduce the intensity of the body’s stress response. So turn that frown upside down even if you don’t feel like.
Can’t hold back the tears any longer? No matter what’s bothering you, taking some time out to let go of those feelings can be a huge relief. Escape to the nearest bathroom and cry your heart out for a couple of minutes. You’ll feel better if you just give into the moment and let your emotions take over, trust us!
When you’re really struggling to cope with a difficult workday, close your mind for awhile and just pay attention to your immediate surroundings. What can you hear, smell, taste, feel, see? Being in the moment helps to take the edge of a problem your facing and redirect your attention to something else.