Stress is a natural part of life that we all have to learn how to manage. What makes this component of life so destructive is that it is cumulative and contagious. The more stress we are exposed to, the more impact it has on our lives. Fortunately, if you learn simple steps for reducing your stress experiences you will be able to avoid many of the pitfalls of stress like illness, physical pain and psychological torment.
Stress and Work
Work is one of the most stressful environments that you can be in. It is full of people who want something from you and who often give little in return. On top of these social stressors there are physical stressors in your work environment like poor lighting and indoor air pollution and noise pollution. Finally, your triathlon of stressors is topped off with the constant threat of losing your ability to make a living.
Minimizing Stress at Work
Since you know that you are going to be bombarded with stressors in your work environment you need to take steps to minimize their effect on your behavior. To start with you can de-clutter your work space. This will help to reduce the amount of stimulation in your environment and help you to focus on what is important. Next you can set up your office so that you are comfortable. This may mean rearranging your furniture to give you access to the most natural light possible and it may also mean replacing various pieces of furniture to ensure proper ergonomics.
Decompressing After Work
It is important to leave the stress of work at your front door. As you walk into your home you need to decompress and shift into home mode. This can be done by first shedding your work clothes and putting on something that is loose fitting and comfortable, like a pair of lounge pants. This one change can quickly change the way you feel physically and emotionally.
Next you will want to keep everything low key. Instead of immediately rushing to make dinner or clean your apartment, take five minutes to become comfortable and to reset your mind. After this is done you will be in a much better mood and you will be much better able to address the chores that need to get done.