The workplace can quickly become a breeding ground for emotional negativity. Stress becomes a major player and is nearly impossible to avoid. Your composure can crack quickly, but it is imperative that you remain productive. So how does one handle the hectic workflow of client demands and stay sane? The task is not easy, but here are some helpful tips to keep your cool:
- Breathe
Refrain from flipping any tables. It’s better to simply take a deep breath. The way you breathe is a reflection of your emotion. To control your emotion, you must control your breath. Try the 4-7-8 technique, which requires inhaling for 4 seconds, holding for 7, and exhaling for 8. - Step away from your desk
Deadlines will make you want to sit at your computer and trudge through the long list of work you have to send out. Resist the urge to work through lunch. Focusing too much on a project can actually become counterproductive and cause you to burn out quicker. Don’t let that happen! - Get active
Random dance parties in the common room got me through many late night essay sessions back in school. If rocking out to some tunes isn’t your thing, try hitting the gym, taking a yoga class, stretching, or simply going for a walk. - Take an afternoon nap
The nap is a source of much debate. While I’m not suggesting you splay out on your desk mid-day, I do recommend giving your eyes a rest, especially if you’re stuck staring at a computer screen for 8+ hours. The optimal naptime is 20-30 minutes to avoid any grogginess upon waking. - Have a laugh
If things get too tense, it’s good to break focus and crack a joke. Laughter, in fact, is the best medicine. Silly, light-hearted banter with your coworkers can distract you from getting too bogged down by the stress-induced gloom of the day.
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a yoga-certified coworker to keep the office Zen, so you need to find what methods work best for you. The important thing is to step back and set boundaries when you feel the pressure rising.
