I am definitely a workaholic. It’s not that I love work exactly, but I take pride in doing a good job and knowing that people can always count on me to do really well. I thrive on success, which makes it really easy for me to get motivated when it comes to starting my work for the day. Unfortunately, this does come at a price – squeezing lots of work into your day means you could burn out quickly, and I definitely find myself stressed if I don’t keep things in check. To manage my stress at work, I’ve come up with five tactics to help myself quickly get back to a good place, and more able to manage my workload. Here are five quick ways to unwind at work. 

Do a lap of the building

I’m not the most active because I spend a lot of my day stuck at my desk, and I really start to feel it if I don’t make sure I get some fresh air. I used to go for walks a lot to unwind and process information when I was younger, so I’m not sure why I stopped! Getting outside and just doing a lap of the building (or walking back and forth for a few minutes if that isn’t possible!) is a great way to force yourself to get some fresh air on your skin and clear your mind a little bit, instantly giving you a little bit of stress relief. 

Online gaming

Sometimes I’m stressed simply because I’m not enjoying what I’m doing – and the best way to counteract that, is to do something fun! I like playing quick games online, and Solitaire is my favourite. You can complete a game from start to finish in five or so minutes, which gives you enough time to feel like you’ve got to sneak away from work to have a little bit of fun, without causing too much disruption in your day. Solitaire is also a fantastic option because it feels like mindless fun, but you’re actually keeping your mind engaged as you plan out your strategies.

A good old cup of tea

It might sound too British to be true, but it really is! A good cup of tea is the key to overcoming any of life’s stresses. Sometimes it’s not even about the tea itself, but stepping away from the desk, waiting for the kettle to boil, and possibly having a chat with a colleague (or a cat if you work from home!) before taking that first sip all contributes to that little bit of self care to get you through a tough day.

Start an office gif war

When I’m working in an office with other people, I love to go out of my way to make them chuckle. I like to send jokes to people for a little giggle to lift their spirits on really busy days, and my favourite thing to do is start a gif war. A gif war is simply when you send gifs back and forth, competing to be the funniest gif-sender by the end of the day – or win instantly by making somebody roar with laughter in a silent room! It’s such a quick and easy way to ease tension and eliminate stress.

Five minute meditation

If you’re able to step away from what you’re doing for five minutes whenever you feel stressed, it is worth looking up five minute meditation videos or audios so that you can practice some mindfulness and bring yourself out of that stress and back to the moment. Just a few minutes can make a huge impact on your day, and leave you feeling more ready to take on your workload without getting overwhelmed.

Do you have any top tips to help you unwind at work? Share your relaxation hacks below!

Georgie

Georgie – twenty something content creator based in Yorkshire, writing about all things pretty in life