Regardless of what industry you work in, everyone experiences a stressful day. Even though it’s expected, stress is something that can have severe consequences on your mental and physical health. Instead of allowing the burdens of the workplace to make their way into your personal life, learn how to curb the effects of workplace stress. With a combination of small physical and mental exercises, you’ll be able to enjoy your career and leave work at the office.

Taking Enough Breaks

It can be tempting to sit through your entire 8 to 10 hour shift and finish all of the work that you have on your desk but it can also be a great way to slow down productivity and hinder your performance. If you’re the type of person that sits in one position every day, either at a desk or at a workstation, it is important that you give yourself time to take breaks. You’ll want to move away from your work area and go for a quick walk for about 5 to 10 minutes, making sure that you stretch your legs, arms, and back. You’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle more projects.

Preparing Your Mind

Before you leave the house every morning to get to work, leave a few minutes for quiet meditation. It can be stressful to have to wake up, immediately get ready, and rush out of the house. 10 to 20 minutes of your time should be sufficient enough to reflect on the accomplishments that you have made during the week and to recite positive affirmations. When you encounter stressful situations throughout the day, take a few minutes to meditate before you come up with a solution to the problem. It allows you to clear your mind so you can make the right decisions and stay peaceful.

Find the Cause of the Stress

If all else fails, figure out what it is that is causing your stress and work towards improving that issue. For example, if you’ve noticed that your boss pressures you to finish projects faster because you have the tendency to procrastinate, improve your time management skills. If there’s a member of your team that is simply difficult to work with, talk to them and figure out how you can micromanage your approach to accommodate them. When it comes to having a healthier state of mind, be prepared to make compromises.