From Healthy Office Meals to Meditation: 6 Ways to “Celebrate” National Stress Awareness Day at Work
Posted by Sara on Wednesday, April 16th, 2014 with Comments Off on From Healthy Office Meals to Meditation: 6 Ways to “Celebrate” National Stress Awareness Day at Work Comments
Today is National Stress Awareness Day — and on the surface, it may seem like a completely unnecessary occasion. Stress is always on our minds, and we talk about feeling stressed or being stressed or even stress eating all the time… especially in the context of the workplace. Does stress really need a special day?
The sad answer is yes. While we might throw the word “stress” around the office daily, it can have real, lasting consequences, both for employees and employers. The American Psychological Association estimates that three-quarters of Americans suffer physically from stress, including from stomachaches, headaches, and fatigue, and that more than half of us report that our productivity suffers and we don’t even use our vacation time due to stress. And, of course, work-related stress costs employers, to the tune of around $300 billion every year.
There are right ways and wrong ways to deal with stress at the workplace…
Image source: Flickr user leyla.a
But don’t get stressed! The good news is that stress actually is manageable, and there are ways you can work to reduce stress in your workplace, without even making major adjustments to your daily schedule. From eating healthy office meals to taking a few minutes for quiet meditation, here are some top strategies for stress-busting to practice in the name of National Stress Awareness Day:
Don’t eat lunch at your desk. Physically, sitting too much is really awful for you. And mentally, not taking even a brief break from work is even worse. Take a walk if you can, but at least get up and move to the break room. Resetting your physical environment will help provide the mental reprieve you need to be productive throughout the day.
Whole wheat bread, lean protein, and abundant veggies make this a stress-busting lunch.
Image source: Flickr user Angelica Portales
But do eat lunch — preferably, a healthy one. Eating a healthy meal — that is, one composed of complex carbohydrates and lean proteins — can help regulate your blood sugar to keep your energy levels up, keep stress hormones in check, and supply you with the vitamins and nutrients you need to physically handle the demands of your day… even if those demands are placed on your brain instead of your body. Foods rich in certain nutrients, like vitamin C, B-vitamins, folic acid, and omega-3 fatty acids, are the best choices for regulating stress: think salmon, dark, leafy green salads, and citrus fruits when choosing stress-busting office meals.
Move away from the screens to reduce your stress.
Image source: Flickr user Alexandre Ferreira
Unplug for a while — even just a little while. We’re smartphone addicts. There’s no denying it. But being constantly — really, truly, constantly — plugged in can raise stress levels; in fact, some psychologists liken the compulsive need to “check in” to the force that drives gambling addicts to slot machines. Make it a habit to leave your phone behind when you head away from your desk: you really don’t need to check your email while you eat your lunch or get a cup of coffee. Promise.
Practice mindfulness. It’s a buzzword, but one worth paying attention to. Mindfulness, often cultivated through meditation, is essentially the practice of being present in the moment instead of letting your thoughts race away from you. While this is obviously easier said than done, there’s a reason mindfulness training has been adopted by firefighters, police forces, and teachers across the nation: it works. Even spending ten minutes a day practicing mindfulness can make a big difference in how you experience stress.
A little yoga can do wonders for office stress.
Image source: Flickr user Jenica
Exercise, even a little. It’s not just about losing weight: even low-intensity exercise, like walking or yoga, can help improve your mood and state of mind. Exercise helps regulate cortisone, the so-called “stress hormone”, and improves cognitive function. So take a walk around the building, choose the stairs instead of the elevator, or escape to an empty conference room for some quick in-office yoga stretches.
Snack. Yes, this might be the best one on the list! If you go too long without eating, your energy will drop and you’ll be more likely to feel overwhelmed. The catch, of course, is to choose the right snacks: skip the chips and cookies for a handful of nuts, a container of Greek yogurt, or an apple with a few spoonfuls of almond butter. Each has protein to provide actual fuel for your body, instead of a quick sugar rush (and the inevitable crash).
When it comes to stress, the best thing you can do is ask for help — and that’s where Waiter.com comes in. We make it easy for you have healthy, stress-fighting office meals and snacks within easy reach… so you’ll have plenty of energy to tackle those yoga moves!
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