8 Ways to Go Into Work Feeling Less Stressed Out
We can get ahead of our day by setting ourselves up for success early on
The brief period of time leading up to work can always be a little bit hectic— you’re getting yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared for the work day so that you can come home in one piece, relax, and recharge for the following day.
That period of time before work is precious because you’re setting the tone for your entire day. If you go into a situation already feeling stressed, then it can often times throw off your game and snowball into a rough day at work.
Yes, it can be stressful to think about all of the things that we need to accomplish in the work day, but there are ways around going into work feeling stressed out before we even begin. Here are a few ways to avoid that.
Wake up a few hours before you actually start work
I used to sleep through every single alarm I set. I’d wake up at the very last second before running late. And what that did for me was just cause more stress and chaos to my mornings. I would rush out the door, likely forget something, and feel extremely frazzled as I was on my way to work. I didn’t let my mind or body relax before starting my day, which only set me up feeling already fatigued. That’s why I started waking up earlier each day so that I could ease into my morning feeling calm, put together and ready for work.
Sit down for coffee or breakfast
I know that everyone operates differently when it comes to their eating habits — I know not everyone likes to eat breakfast right when they wake up and it takes some time before they actually do. Some people like to grab coffee to-go and skip out on breakfast, while others like to enjoy a full meal at the table. Whichever your preference may be, take some time in the morning to at least sit down and enjoy whatever it is you’re consuming, even if it’s the air you breathe.
Exercise in the morning
Just like wedding jitters, pre-race jitters, or whatever jitters come before a big event, we often experience similar feelings of nervousness or anxiety before starting the work day (especially when it’s shaping up to be a busy one). Exercise can help relieve some of that stress and jumpstart your mind and body so that you’re awake and alert for the day. Whether it’s going for a run, a bike ride, or even doing an activity that’s a little more low-impact such as yoga or stretching, getting your body physically ready for the day will help put your mind at ease.
Read
Similar to an early breakfast, reading in the mornings isn’t for everyone…but, it is a non-stressful activity that can be quite calming.. Whether you’re a slow reader or a fast reader and whether you enjoy comics or romance novels, indulging your mind in a bit of reading can put you in a more relaxed mental state. Reading transports your mind into a different world and can put you at is. Try reading for at least ten to fifteen minutes in the morning so that you can take your mind off of real life for a brief moment.
Write
Writing is another one of those activities that people either love or they hate — kind of like running. However, writing is one of the best forms of therapy when it comes to expressing what you need to without actually saying it out loud. It doesn’t matter what it is that you write. Just jot down what you need to say whether it’s in the form of a to-do-list, a diary entry, a poem, or even just a rambling of words. I guarantee it’ll make you feel better.
Don’t read work emails before starting work
I used to think that checking my emails before work would help me get ahead of my day and help me get a better handle of what I need to do. But, in reality, it actually made me more stressed out going into work. I would check my emails and start panicking over all of the things I had to do, then feel overwhelmed all before I even set eyes on my work computer. Working before work can cause stress, anxiety, and potentially lead to burnout, so don’t feel like you need to check in before you actually start.
Take control of your calendar
As daunting as it may be to look at your calendar, it can mentally prepare you for what’s in store for the day. Getting to know your calendar and being aware of exactly what you’re doing and when you’re doing it can familiarize you with the pockets in the day when you have downtime to either take a short break or tackle less difficult tasks. You should take control of your calendar so that you can take control of your day. It’ll make you feel more confident and prepared for what lies ahead.
I know it may seem like a lot to do and there are only so many hours in a day, but we can take advantage of the time that we have. We can get ahead of our day by setting ourselves up for success early on. And that all begins with the things that we do before we actually start work.
I know it might take a while to adapt, but just know that habits do take time to really stick. So, try incorporating a few of these morning rituals and see how much of a difference it makes in your daily life. It could be a game changer.
