5. Stretch at your desk
It’s incredibly important to take breaks during work, even when you feel like there’s a rush to get your task at hand done. For the times when you can’t leave your desk, you can still stretch while sitting for five minutes without intervention.
Stretching can also help with discomfort and work-related pain or injuriesTrusted Source. The simplest stretch you can do is the upper body and arm stretch. To do this:
- Clasp your hands together and push upward with your palms facing the sky.
- Stretch and hold the pose for 10 seconds.
- Try twisting your torso left and right for 30 seconds, then repeat.
For a full-body stretch, check out our desk-stretch routine.
Bonus tips for stress
- Keep a stress ball at your desk. Sometimes all you need to do is physically exert all the pent-up energy.
- Have a tactile item for comfort. This can be a crystal or a piece of velvet.
- Buy a massage pad for your chair. This $45 purchase is the most affordable, worth-it purchase for momentary relaxation. Sometimes stress can be a result of back strain or pain. Or your tensed muscles might be increasing your stress. A back massager with heated functionality will help you relax even more.
6. Go for a walk
Exercise or walking is a great way to manage stress. First, it lets you escape the situation. Second, exercise helps your body release endorphins, the neurotransmitters that make you feel warm and fuzzy.
Think of walking as moving meditation. A few laps around the block can help you forget previous tension and relax so you return to the situation calmer and more collected.