photo: Urban Outfitters
Without the reward of a post-week, poolside margarita, stress can really compound. Especially as September is just as important as a new year, and there’s a lot going on. Add these ten little tricks to your daily schedule to stay stress-free, year round.
#1 Morning Rituals
Mornings set the tone for the day. Brew tea, set an intention or move through a quick morning workout. Getting into a daily wake-up routine primes you for the day, making it easier to combat stressful situations.
#2 Start Work Right
Before you start your work day create a to-do list of everything you want to accomplish. Visualizing achievable goals helps focus and relax your mind, the perfect way to keep stress away.
#3 Decaffeinate
Drinking caffeine can increase your body’s production of cortisol, a stress hormone. Top off your regular coffee with decaf, slowly increasing the ratio of decaf to regular.
#4 Mid-Day Move
Dance break anyone? Put on some music and dance around, take a walk, or simply take the stairs! Moving your body pumps up your endorphins, which has serious stress-busting powers.
#5 Learn To Say “No”
Work stress comes from accepting too many projects. Learn your limits and how to honestly communicate them with your peers and superiors.
#6 Space Out
Daydreaming is the mind’s equivalent to a vacation in Bora Bora. Set a timer for five minutes and let yourself drift.
#7 Give Yourself A Mini Hand Massage
Take a break from typing and rub your thumb in a circular motion on the opposite hand’s palm. Use a drop of lavender, a calming essential oil, to make the massage even more relaxing. You can also do this with your ear lobe, a little massage seems to instantly relieve stress. It’s nice.
#8 Notice When Stress Is Coming
We all experience stress differently, learn what triggers you and take a moment to relax before each situation. It’s best to catch stressful situations early, says anxiety expert and clinical psychologist Tamar Chansky. “Once stress escalates, it becomes tougher to let it go.” So tell yourself you know it’s coming and be prepared to deal with it.
#9 Leave Work At Work
Before leaving for the day revisit your to-do list, cross off all your accomplishments, and make a new list for tomorrow. Feeling prepared can help keep off any stress and allow you leave work at work.
Written by Molly Shephard
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