How to Live a Stress-Free Lifestyle and Still Succeed at Work

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The stresses of home and work life can be overwhelming and their challenges can affect performance and productivity. The good news is that many stressors in our lives are controllable. One of the keys to reducing stress is time management with a focus on personal health. Combining these critical components can help you mitigate stress while maintaining a high performance level in your professional career.

Things You'll Need

• A simple, 20 to 30 minute exercise

Instructions

1. Evaluate your daily schedule and to-do list for your work day and home life. Identify those tasks that can be delegated and ask for the help of your work team or a family member.

2. Learn to say no. Recognize what you can reasonably accomplish during the day and kindly say no when the requests exceed this level. Over committing yourself will only lead to more stress and less productivity.

3. Find 5 to 10 minutes during your afternoon to step away from a project or the computer and quietly meditate. Close your eyes, focus on relaxing your muscles and clear your mind. Do a few desk stretches or exercises to relieve tension.

4. Fit in daily exercise using your favorite 20 to 30 minute routine. Exercise is a major ally in reducing stress. Be creative with walking, mind/body exercises and strength training.

5. Experiment with leaving work 15 to 30 minutes early. Pick a time you want to leave for the day and stick to it. You may find you get more done and you will also have more time for your personal life such as spending time with your children.

Tips & Warnings

• Make it known to family and coworkers that you are trying to make changes in your life to reduce stress and increase your work productivity. Perhaps a spouse can take over watching the kids while you get in 20 minutes of exercise or a coworker will volunteer to take over a part of a project you can delegate.

• Asking for help allows you to focus and instills in others a sense of responsibility which can make them feel they are an important part of the team or family.

• Regular exercise is often difficult to squeeze it in, but physical activity is worth its weight in gold when it comes to stress relief. Moving a little each day will greatly improve your mood and energy level.

• Expect some disappointment and even feelings of guilt when you say no to someone asking for participation or assistance. When people find that they can rely on you to get things done, they often cross the line to taking advantage of your helpful attitude. Remember that your number one priority is balance and no one person can do everything. You have to set limits and stick to them and sometimes this means saying no.

Resources

• Office Exercises