10 Ways to De-Stress Your Life at Work

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff at Work, is a light and easy read filled with 100 "simple ways to minimize stress and conflict." Below, I have highlighted the top ten tips that I took away from the book, and explained how they can be used to create a more stress free environment.

1. Have some "no phone time" at work. If you feel like your day is always interrupted by the phone, consider implementing a specific time of day when you refuse to answer the phone. That will give you at least one hour of uninterrupted time to work more productively.
2. Stop anticipating tiredness. We know when we have a hectic schedule coming up, but that doesn't mean you have to wear yourself out now thinking about how exhausted you are going to be at the end of the week.
3. Join my new club "TGIT." Instead of "Thank God it's Friday" or the weekend, how about being excited for today. Live in the moment and find peace with your day instead of dragging out every week, wishing it were Friday.
4. Brighten up your working environment. This one sounds so simple, yet it is so effective. Surround your office or workspace with anything that makes you happy- pictures of loved ones, vacations, ticket stubs, and your car...the possibilities are endless!
5. Take your breaks! Again, other simple straightforward idea. Give yourself the time you need to relax, even for 5 minutes. Run to the bathroom, stretch, have a candy bar, then get back to more focused and productive work.
6. Stop procrastinating. Think about how less stressful your work life would be if you kept on top of your tasks, instead of waiting until the last minute. If you are working as hard as you can but still can't see to get all of your work done, talk to your boss about lightening your load and see how that alleviates stress!
7. Complete as many tasks as possible. This goes hand and hand with number six. The less things hanging over your head, the better. Try to finish at least one project, then you can let it go and move on to the next project, without having unfinished business crowding for space in your brain.
8. Learn to say no without guilt. This is a huge one and translates outside of work as well. Being overworked or running out of time is extremely stressful, and by cutting out one responsibility you are saving yourself time and peace of mind.
9. Marvel at how often things go right. Most of us tend to focus on the negative, when things go wrong, but never acknowledge when we catch a break and things actually go our way. If you were honest with yourself, I'm sure you'd see that things go right far more often than you ever realized...
10. Don't live for retirement. Yes, retirement is great and we all look forward to it, but why miss what is in your life now? Working isn't a prison sentence and your release date isn't retirement, so enjoy what you can when you can to see a drastic improvement in your life!