C'mon, admit it. You've fallen victim to workplace stress at one time or another. You've probably even called in sick because of a stress-related illness.
Turns out that anxiety, stress and neurotic disorder cases are involved in the highest amount of long-term work loss, according to the Center for Disease Control.
More than half of workers report working under stress, according to a recent CareerBuilder.com survey. This comes as no surprise to Americans who are all too familiar with growing job dissatisfaction, heavy workloads, poor work/life balance and no mandatory vacation time.
Stress and worry on the job can be harmful, causing problems that damage your health and performance. Signs of work stress can include headaches, loss of morale, lack of concentration, upset stomach and short temper. In his recent book
Office Spa (Chronicle Books), relaxation expert Darrin Zeer suggests some common items you can keep at work to fight your daily battles with job stress.
Water Bottle Water is essential and comes only second to oxygen for survival. Furthermore, experts recommend drinking eight glasses of water a day for optimal health. Keep a water bottle at your desk for a quick refresher. Fatigue and sluggishness are signs of dehydration. Water also makes you fuller and keeps you from eating when you're not hungry. Many people turn to mindless snacking when they are working, the ever-present water bottle will deter this, and save you some calories.
Portable Snacks You shouldn't starve yourself just because you are at a desk all day, either. If your energy is zapped, you might need to eat something. A headache may indicate the need to eat something, too. Keep imperishable food at your desk for emergencies. Microwaveable popcorn, cereal bars and dried fruit are good options. If you're going low-carb, try an Atkins bar or trail mix with raisins, nuts and seeds. And, pudding, graham crackers or fruit juice are nutritious choices that satisfy your sweet tooth.
Tea Next to water, tea is the most-consumed beverage in the world. In addition to its long-term health benefits, teas can also provide immediate relief to work woes. Peppermint tea is fruity, refreshing, and aromatic. It increases energy, stimulates brain activity and increases fact retention. Chamomile tea helps promote relaxation and is great for unwinding -- reducing tension and stress and calming the nerves. Ginseng tea is an energy booster and mental stimulator. It improves blood sugar levels, improves thinking, and accelerates reaction time.
Tennis Shoes Take a walk. Breathing the fresh air and feeling your body move is a natural stress reliever. And, walking benefits brain power, stimulates circulation, improves mood and helps ward off depression. You don't have to work up a sweat to feel the results. Even 10 minutes can help. One sales rep puts on her tennis shoes everyday to trek over a mile round trip to get her lunch at a nearby store. "Getting away from my computer and walking helps clear my brain and stretch my legs. It's a great way to jump-start my energy before the afternoon blahs kick in," she says.
Golf Ball or Empty Bottle Keep a golf ball or empty bottle nearby for quick massages to relieve arch strain or foot cramps. This can be extremely soothing whether you work on your feet or at a desk. Foot massages are known to relieve tension, mental and physical stress, fatigue and headaches.
CDs and Headphones Unwind by listening to your favorite tunes. Most computers today have earphone jacks so you can listen to music without disturbing your coworkers in neighboring cubes. Keep a variety of your favorite CDs at your desk for different moods or situations -- if you need to concentrate on a project, generate some comic relief or escape briefly. You can also see if your favorite radio station broadcasts over the Internet, too.
Of course if burnout continues, headaches become more frequent, and you still yearn for an escape, it might be a sign of a deeper problem. It may be time to consider changing jobs or careers or even seeking the help of a professional.
Copyright 2004 CareerBuilder.com. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without prior written authority.
