8 Ways to Relax at Work When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed

You look through your seemingly never-ending amount of tasks. You’re feeling utterly overwhelmed. The anxiety grows. The stress increases. And you’re at your wits’ end.

Everyone has had one of those days.

You may have been able to push through that one time, but what can you do to relieve your stress the next time it happens?

We’ve got 8 stress-busting tips to help relieve the pressure and relax at work when it all becomes a little too much!

1. Listen to Calming Music

Putting on some music that soothes you can significantly reduce the stress you may be feeling. And we’re placing an emphasis on music that soothes you.

Everyone has different tastes. Classical music is a common remedy for stress but if heavy, guitar-shredding metal calms your mind, then go for it!

Just remember to listen to your soothing tunes through some headphones. Your music may calm you but aggravate and distract others! And this might be another obvious tip – but don’t lull yourself to sleep with your music! Your tunes need to be relaxing enough to destress but not so much that you end up snoozing on your desk.

2. Launch a Snack Attack

Munching on some snacks can reduce stress and anxiety. The important thing is to snack on food that are shown to do just that. Here are some popular de-stressing options:

• Nuts: Nuts are a great option for snacking. They’re packed with nutrients including vitamin B and magnesium. Both of these vitamins have been shown to be capable of reducing stress. Pistachios in particular are great at providing stress relief.
• Oranges: Vitamin C are known to reduce levels of stress in individuals. And which foods are known for their high levels of Vitamin C? Citrus fruits! So if you’re feeling stressed out, grab an orange!
• Blueberries: They may be small, but blueberries pack a punch in the vitamin and nutrient game. They contain flavonoid antioxidants which are great at reducing stress and helping you relax at work.

On a side note, make sure your snacking doesn’t become stress eating! Limit yourself to a moderate amount of these snacks to avoid excess calories.

3. Sip on Some Tea

Tea is a popular mid-day drink and for good reason! A hot cup can give you a much-needed mental break and several teas are made to reduce stress and anxiety. Some of these include:

• Chamomile tea
• Peppermint tea
• Green tea
• Rosehip tea
• Lavender tea

An afternoon cup of tea also won’t give you the caffeine crash associated with coffee, so it’s a great way to remain productive and stress-free for the entire work day!

4. Take Frequent Breaks from Your Work

This one seems obvious but you would be surprised how many people refuse to take breaks in order to get their work done. What they don’t realise is that even a 5 minute break can do wonders for both your stress levels and your productivity.

Frequent breaks throughout the day are strongly recommended. Simply tearing yourself away from that spreadsheet to browse through Instagram for 5 minutes is a great way to break up your day.

A popular productivity tool is the Pomodoro Technique. This technique involves having a 5 minute break every 25 mins, and it’s shown to increase productivity while keeping your stress at manageable levels.

5. Take a Walk

Sometimes taking a break on your phone or computer just doesn’t cut it. Maybe your office environment is too loud or busy for you to properly destress. In these cases, taking a walk can be the best thing for you.

A walk is one of the best ways to relax at work. The fresh air can do wonders for your stress and will help you take your mind off your work – even if it is only for a short while. Little things go a long way and even a walk around the block can all it be to reset, reduce stress and get back to work with a healthy mindset.

6. Clean Your Workspace

Declutter your desk, declutter your mind. A messy, cluttered desk has been shown to give the impression of more work to do. Prolonged exposure to visual clutter can significantly increase your stress levels!

If you’re looking for some relaxing things to do, this is one of them. Take some time to clean your desk. Arrange those files, toss those coffee cups and reset your workspace. Your mind will thank you for it!

7. Breathe!

Sometimes all it takes is a deep breath. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and give yourself time to breath. One minute of steady, deep breaths is a simple yet super effective meditation technique. It’s also one of many calming techniques. It’s been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels amongst other mental benefits.

Creating and following a simple breathing routine every day can have positive impacts on your mental health and help you become more stress-free and productive.

8. Give Yourself a Massage

Massages are known to help you decompress and destress. You don’t have to go to your local massage therapist to enjoy the benefits of a massage either. A self massage can provide the same tension-reducing effects!

Using an electric massager is also a great way to alleviate stress. These can target different parts of your body. So whether it’s your neck or hands that’s feeling the brunt of stress-related pain, you’ll be able to relieve it.

Don’t Let Stress Get to You

With the amount of time we spend at work, it’s more and more important to manage our stress levels. If you’re constantly telling yourself “I can’t relax”, then these 8 tips will give you time to relax. It will also help you reduce and relieve any stress you may be feeling. You will be ready to go back to work with a healthy headspace, in no time.
If you’re looking for more articles which improve your wellbeing, check out the OSIM Wellness Hub! Filled with helpful articles ranging from muscle relief to sleeping tips – you’ll find your life enriched with these blogs.