Meditate – Meditation is a great way to step outside of the things that are stressing you out. Give yourself 10 minutes to meditate and clear your mind, and you will be able to step back into your challenges with a fresh approach.
Go for a Walk – Stretch your legs and look around you. There can be a lot to appreciate when you step away from a stressful situation, and it can help you focus on practical solutions without getting too caught up.
Picture Yourself Relaxing – Simply envisioning yourself relaxed can help you step into that frame of mind.
Breathing Exercises – Taking 10 deep breaths will help you focus on something different for a moment, and will help you clear stress from your mind and get to the root of your challenges. Breathing exercises can help you reduce tension and relax.
Look Around Yourself – Take a moment to appreciate your surroundings. It can be easy to get caught up in a stressful situation, but observing the people and things around you can really help you get a handle on things.
Drink Tea – Warm Tea, especially caffeine-free, can help put your mind and body at ease.
Show Affection – Physical contact with a loved one can help unload a lot of the baggage on your mind.
Have a Massage – Physical contact can do wonders, but even giving yourself a quick massage to relieve tension points can help you get more comfortable and make your worries fade away.
Take a Break – Give yourself some ‘you time’ now and then. Let your mind wander away from work and stress, or find a quick activity that you enjoy and that helps get your mind off things.
Listen to Music – Music can make a world of difference to your emotions. Pick an old favorite feel-good track to get yourself back into the right mindset.
Take a Break From Your Attitude – It’s easy to get caught up in things, especially when you’re busy. Make a deliberate effort to switch your mindset – force a smile or a laugh, and you might be surprised how much it can change your mood.
Skip the Coffee – Caffeine might help you get through the work day, but it can also get your mind spinning and fixated on things that are stressing you out. Try a tall glass of cold water instead; it can make you more alert and will help cleanse your system.
Avoid Processed Foods – Junk food takes a toll on your digestive system, and an upset stomach makes it easy to stress out about everything else going on around you.
Eat Ginger – Ginger can ease your stomach and help you relax. Try it in tea, or ginger sweets, or tasty candied ginger.
Try Flax Seed Oil – Flax seed oil is rich in alpha-linolenic acid, which can influence your sense of well-being and help relieve you of stress.
Unplug the Electronics – Turn off the computer; disconnect yourself from social networks for a minute. Concentrate on the here and now, and the worries of the outside world can disappear for a moment.
Turn off the Cell Phone – Worried about a stressful call that might come in at any time from a boss or friend? Turn off the phone for a while and focus on what you have to do. If it’s important, they will leave a message.
Get Some Exercise – Doing a quick round of jumping jacks or push-ups is a great way to relieve your mind for a moment. It forces you to focus for a few minutes, and you can approach your situation with a clearer mind afterwards.
Analyze Your Situation – Take a moment to look at the things that are stressing you out. A few minutes of focused thought might help you break down your situation and make a plan to overcome it.
Talk to a friend – This is what friends are for, and sometimes sharing your stressful situation and getting an outside perspective can help you realize that easy ways to push through.
Take a Day Off – Sometimes taking a day off of work can be just what you need to get out, have some fun, and forget about your worries for a bit. Make the most of your free day and treat yourself to fun, stress-free activities. You will be revitalized and ready to tackle your challenges afterwards.
Reward Yourself – Treat yourself after getting through a stressful and challenging situation. Some days are harder than others, but if you know there is a reward waiting for you at the other end, you can stay focused and work harder.
Do Some Math – Find your newspaper’s sudoku page, or challenge yourself with a math equation. Math takes a lot of mental focus, and can turn your mind away from the stresses in your life for a moment.
Count to 10 – If math sounds a bit much for the moment, just close your eyes and count to 10. It’s an easy way to switch your mind’s focus for just a moment, and that can make a world of difference.
Just Say No – If you are already feeling stressed out, try to turn down anything that might add to that. Getting overly stressed out will not help your productivity, so try to get through one challenge before adding more.
Improve Your Surroundings – If you aren’t able to take a break or step outside of a stressful situation, do what you can to improve it. Put some pictures of loved ones around your office, or put on some relaxing music. Improve your surroundings to improve your state of mind.
Take a Sniff – Sense of smell can be a powerful factor on your mood. Scents can help you relax, so light up a nice scented candle, or peel a fresh orange or tangerine for an invigorating burst of citrus.
Warm Up – When your body is cold, it’s easy to feel on edge. Putting on an extra sweater can help you get more comfortable and relaxed.
Schedule Breaks – Plan ahead for a break from your schedule. It will give you something to look forward to as you trudge through your stressful to-do list.
Have a Snack – Taking a break with a little comfort food will reinvigorate your energy level and give you a brief escape.
Lie Down – Get horizontal for a moment. This position makes it easier to relax and forces you to take a quick break from work.
Laugh a Little – A little bit of laughter can go a long way. If you’re stressed out, take a minute to pull up a favorite sitcom or YouTube video, and let yourself smile for a change – it’ll make a big difference on your mood.
Take a Bath – Nothing helps shed away your stress like a nice hot soak at the end of a long day.
Dance – You might feel silly doing it, but close the blinds, shut the door, and turn on your favorite song. Moving around to your favorite music will help you step outside of your stresses, and two-step into a much improved mood.
Tend your Garden – Caring for another living thing can help your mind grow out of your burdens. A few potted plants around the office can give you something to care for, even if only for a few minutes. You don’t have to take this too literally, but it can be helpful when you’re stressed out to tend to some of the other aspects of your life that are less stressful to you.
