Studies have shown that people are working longer hours than ever. Some people spend more time at work than they do at home. And if you factor in a troubled economy, there are lots of people who are working longer hours for less money.
It’s a combustible set of conditions that might have long-term effects if you’re not careful. For many folks, the office is a source of dread on a daily basis.
It doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, you should take steps to improve your work environment because you’re only hurting yourself if you don’t. Thankfully, you don’t have to revolutionize your life in order to relieve stress at work. Even simple changes and minor adjustments can do a world of good, especially if you’re feeling totally stressed out already.
Let’s take a look at some things you can change to make your workdays more enjoyable.
Avoid the Toxic People
There are two main things you have to deal with at the office: your job responsibilities, and other people. Both can be tremendous sources of stress. When it comes to the people, almost every office has workers that aren’t healthy to be around. You know the ones, they’re passive aggressive, too competitive, or just downright unfriendly.
In many cases, we don’t avoid them because we don’t want to be rude. But what could be more important than our own emotional health? Sometimes you just have to draw the line and avoid the types of people that will drag you down with them. It might be hard at first, but after a while you’ll definitely thank yourself.
Arrive Early
Everybody feels rushed these days no matter what job they work at. A very simple solution is to wake up half an hour earlier than you usually do.
It might sound difficult right now because no one wants to wake up earlier. But after you get used to it, you can work wonders with that extra half hour. You can enjoy breakfast, get to work earlier, and get off to a better start. Even an extra 15 minutes at the beginning of your day can have an incredible impact on the rest of your workday.
Organize and Delegate
People who have a problem with procrastination usually have difficulties organizing as well. After all, in order to get organized you have to take action. It’s a lot easier to let things slide while getting by on regular habits and the same old routine. But if you can manage to organize things with a set schedule, you’ll find that everything goes smoother.
An important part of organization in an office environment is delegating whenever you can. In many instances, there’s no reason why you have to take on as many responsibilities as you do. In short, look for ways to lighten your burden, and organize your schedule better for any task you can’t pass on.
Take Real Breaks
How many times have you worked through your break? You might think that you’re catching up on work, but you might be slipping behind in overall health. Most offices don’t give their workers enough breaks to begin with, so you want to take advantage of time off to keep yourself healthy.
A break is a perfect time to go for a walk or even rejuvenate your body with a personal massager. You can snack on healthy foods, stretch your body, or clear your mind so that you aren’t always thinking about work.
Talk It Out
Chances are you aren’t the only person who feels the way they do about your job. Your coworkers are probably thinking the exact same thing. It’s important to find a support system in any work environment because otherwise going it alone can be too difficult.
Just like there are toxic people in any office environment, there are also people you’ll get along with. So make sure to gravitate towards people who you trust and who can be good friends. They will be invaluable in keeping you emotionally healthy at work, and hanging out with them can relieve a tremendous amount of stress.