As members of the working world, you know firsthand that every job comes with its share of stress, but it’s how you handle the stress that makes the difference between a bad day turned good and a day from hell.
Under any circumstances, everyone loves efficiency and strives for that each day. How can you be more productive and focused on the task at hand when stresses lurk in every corner? Mindfulness is the key to end each day feeling satisfied with your accomplishments, despite any downfalls that come your way. The key is working through problems and not letting them prevent you from doing your job.
Mindfulness will not only make your day easier, it also will help you be more relaxed and ready to take on the next challenge, not to mention that it will improve your overall health. Here are some tips to how you can do just that.
Focus on you
When you’re not a business owner you have someone you answer to, but don’t let that prevent you from thinking of your own needs. One of the keys to staying sane throughout the day is to take some time for yourself.
Step away from your desk for a few minutes at various points in the day. Take a walk and clear your head. Do some meditating during lunch. Taking a break from your everyday tasks and routines will ease some of the daily stresses you face.
Put the brakes on
In a fast-paced world it can be hard to slow down, but sometimes it’s important to do that in order to avoid a mental breakdown.
If you’re working on a project with a deadline over a week from now, don’t try getting it all done at once. You may think it’s being productive and that it’s one less thing you have to worry about, but in actuality it could have a negative impact.
Speeding through it brings out the mistakes. Take the time to plan it out and complete the project in chunks. Your body will thank you for it when you’re avoiding late nights hunched over a computer, baggy eyes and pains in your neck and shoulders.
Live in the moment
A major key to mindfulness is living in the moment and not focusing so far into the future. You have a meeting in a few days and you have a presentation to prepare. You have an interview tomorrow and you’re worried about how it will go. You’re the team leader on a project and someone is slacking on their portion.
Whatever the case may be, there are some things we can’t avoid thinking about because they’re tasks that are important to accomplish. What you don’t need to be doing is thinking about where your family will sleep when they visit in two months or what everyone wants for Christmas when it’s only April. Stay focused on the tasks you have to attend to in the near future, not on something you have months to prepare for. This will alleviate stress and keep you calm, making you feel happier.
Breathe
Sometimes it really is that simple. All you have to do is breathe.
Even if all you do is sit in your office chair and focus on breathing, it can make a difference with your day. Just take a deep breath and exhale slowly and repeat for several minutes. Think of it as breathing in the good and releasing the bad. Doing this a few times a day will ultimately make you feel better.
[su_panel background=”#f2f2f2″ color=”#000000″ border=”0px none #ffffff” shadow=”0px 0px 0px #ffffff”]Kate Wilson is a green living writer passionate about helping others to live happier and healthier lives. For more, check out her blog This Wild Lifestyle or follow her on Twitter @kateowilson.
