| Work place stress comes in many shapes and | | | | breathe out to a count of 4, repeat and on the second |
| disguises. Depending on the nature of your job and | | | | out breath relax your jaw, smile and relax your |
| level of support and resources available to you, life can | | | | shoulders. Repeat 3 times, each time taking slow |
| be very stressful at work. For instance, you may have | | | | steady breaths in and out. After you have taken your |
| to manage a heavy case load as well as supervise | | | | three breaths, you are in a much clearer and stronger |
| colleagues; or you might be head of a large complex | | | | frame of mind to explain your expenses account |
| division and constantly have to battle with other heads | | | | without becoming overbearingly rude and dismissive. |
| of departments for access to funds or more staff to | | | | 2. Stretch. During your day at work, take regular "2 |
| complete your work. | | | | Minute Stretch Breaks." These mini stretch breaks |
| Stress at work has a negative effect on the way you | | | | allow your body to release the build up of muscular |
| feel about your job. It can make or break you. Did you | | | | tension, especially in your neck, back and wrists from |
| know that stress is recognized as the number one | | | | constant keyboard usage. Or if your job involves a lot |
| killer today? The American Medical Association stated | | | | of standing or walking, a 2 minute stretch break helps |
| that stress was the cause of 80 to 85 percent of all | | | | relieves sore feet and achy legs. Simple stretches |
| human illness and disease. It is difficult to avoid stress | | | | such as Arms Above Your Head, or shaking your |
| and when you face undue pressure and demands at | | | | hands vigorously for 30 seconds help to relax and |
| work, life can become totally miserable. | | | | revive sore and painful limbs. |
| To help yourself handle workplace stress, it is essential | | | | 3. Relax. It can be very difficult to take time out at |
| you develop effective strategies to stop stressful | | | | work just to sit still and relax. To make it simpler for |
| situations damaging your health. Easier said than done, I | | | | you, see if you can find an on-line relaxation site that |
| know. However, if you follow these three key tips you | | | | offers you daily inspirational thoughts, or you could |
| develop the inner strength and resilience needed to | | | | download an inspirational screen saver, maybe a |
| avoid getting stressed-out. | | | | natural scene. Anything that when you look at it, it |
| 3 Key Tips to Avoid Getting Stressed Out at Work | | | | encourages you to stop, breathe and reflect, just for a |
| 1. Breathe. You can instantly regain calm and | | | | moment, just long enough for your mind to refocus on |
| composure by focusing on your breath. If you feel | | | | something more inspirational and personal than your |
| yourself becoming stressed out at work, maybe your | | | | immediate work place situation. |
| boss has pulled you up sharply regarding your latest | | | | If you can get into the habit of adopting any of the |
| expenses account and you feel perturbed at his level | | | | above three key tips during your day, you will be |
| of questioning; rather than launch straight into an attack | | | | energised and refocused and over time will find it |
| and explain how you arrived at that figure, focus on | | | | easier to ride the ups and downs of work. Best of all |
| your breath. Consciously take a long steady breath in | | | | you will have a more stress-free day at work. |
| through your nose and as you slowly breathe out, | | | | |