Stress serves an important purpose — it enables us to respond quickly to threats and avoid danger. When faced with everyday jobs and tasks or the demands of an illness, relaxation techniques may not be a main concern in your life. But that means you might miss out on how relaxation can benefit your health. Whether it’s knitting, painting, or making jewelry, crafting is a great way to unwind after work. Creativity-focused activities like these allow our brains release dopamine, which is a natural antidepressant. According to research, indulging our creativity not only bolsters our mental health, but our physical health, too.
- Mindfulness is the practice of becoming fully immersed in an activity, rather than in your thoughts about other things.
- But that means you might miss out on how relaxation can benefit your health.
- This means prioritizing sleep, setting aside time for fun, and ensuring you eat throughout the day.
- When we don’t unwind, stress can accumulate, leading to burnout, which is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion.
Technostress: Fixing Technology’s Impact on Employee Mental Health and Well-being
If worry about work is interfering with your relaxation or sleep time, considering doing a “brain dump,” or writing a to-do list or worry log as part of your bedtime or relaxation routine. Famous Erwin, LMHC, LPC, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 15 years of counseling experience. Famous is a team member of theTalkspace Council of Mental Health Experts. At Talkspace, Everyday is exciting because he has an opportunity to do what he loves and that’s helping people overcome life’s challenges through effective life skills and coping skills. Traditionally, men don’t seek counseling so as a male therapist, Famous ensures the men that he works with that counseling is a safe place to be vulnerable. Unwind after work with Talkspace, the online therapy platform that connects you with licensed therapists who are experienced in stress management techniques.
Cultivate Mindfulness
In fact, the stress level in this country is 20 percentage points higher than the global average. The same report found that a whopping 94% of workers say they feel stressed at work. Research has also linked rumination with a decreased ability to see solutions to problems, which can potentially lead to more stress. Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,” have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, “The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong,” is one of the most viewed talks of all time.
How to Calm Down When It Feels Nearly Impossible
These micro-breaks can help reset your stress levels and improve your focus when you return to your tasks. Taking the time to relax every day helps manage stress and protect your body from the effects of stress. You can choose from a variety of techniques, such as deep breathing, guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation and mindfulness meditation. As you learn relaxation techniques, you can become more aware of muscle tension and other physical ways your body reacts to stress. Once you know what the stress response feels like, you can try to do a relaxation technique as soon as you start to feel stress symptoms.
Physical symptoms of work-related stress
Anonymously rate your current or former employer now to unlock our one-of-a-kind resources. InHerSight matches job seekers and companies based on millions of workplace ratings from women. Find a job at how to destress after work a place that supports the kinds of things you’re looking for. Work stress that goes unresolved may lead to emotional and mental challenges and decreased productivity. If you need to get that presentation just right or find yourself working extra hours perfecting a report you finished days ago, it may be time to take a step back and reflect. Having people you can rely on during tough times can alleviate some of the built-up tension.
- Relaxation techniques are often free or low cost and pose little risk.
- It’s very natural to seek emotional support when dealing with difficult co-workers.
- Journaling as a regular practice can be an effective way to unwind after a stressful day at work.
- The more your actions reflect your beliefs, the better you’ll feel, no matter how busy your life is.
There are many reasons we do this, but there are more important reasons why we can and should learn to stop. Read on to gain a greater understanding of how smart people unwittingly magnify job stress, and how you can leave work at work as much as you possibly can. This can decrease your stress levels, prevent burnout, and increase your overall happiness.