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How to Reduce Job Stress Using Natural Therapies

January 04, 2018

Today, we work to live, but few of us live to work. Job stress can hit us from every angle.

From worrying about the economy, to remaining competitive in a saturated market, to just paying the bills, it’s easy to get caught up in being stressed about work.

Reducing your job stress can be easy with natural therapies. Changing your mindset and work practices is key to solving work stress for good.

Here are a few natural therapies I use to reduce work stress for my clients and myself.

Easy Ways to Reduce Work Stress

Skip The Sugary Coffee Drinks.

Many people rush to the nearest café every time they get time for a break.

All that sugar and caffeine can send your stress levels through the roof, especially on a busy workday!

Keep water at your desk instead, or go out for iced herbal tea. If you’re stressed, sip on chamomile or catnip tea throughout the day.

Try At Your Desk Aromatherapy.

Certain essential oils relieve tension fast and promote a happier mood. Add a few drops of high quality lavender or ylang ylang oil to a small amount of jojoba or coconut oil.

Apply a few drops to your wrists or temples a few times a day.

Note: Use essential oils exactly as directed. Not all oils are appropriate for topical use.

Practice Deep Breathing (Abdominal Breathing).

Deep breathing promotes full oxygen exchange, slows the heartbeat and stabilizes blood pressure. Here’s a technique from Harvard Health Publications:

First, breathe in slowly through your nose. Let your chest and lower belly rise while your lungs fill with air. Allow your abdomen to completely expand.

Second, breathe out slowly through your mouth or your nose (whichever feels more comfortable).

Yoga, tai chi, Qi Gong and mindful meditation all practice this type of breath control.

Good Nutrition Helps Break The Stress Cycle.

Bring foods like fresh fruit, healthy dips and fresh vegetables to share at work.

If you have healthy foods available, you will be less likely to overeat junk foods that contribute to stress and weight gain- the scourge of the office desk worker.

Use Herbs For Stress Relief.

I like to use a blend with bacopa and ashwagandha like Calm Mindwhen I’m working on deadlines or doing intense mental work.

To calm strong emotions or stressful moments, herbs like holy basil and kava kava in Serenity Now work fast to keep you grounded.

Delegate Tasks If Possible When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed.

A good team works together to accomplish goals. Successful companies want their employees to be happy, and will appreciate a worker with a positive attitude who’s being proactive.

Take Frequent Breaks.

Go for a quick walk, do yoga stretches, or just relax. You will be less stressed, have higher creativity, and improve productivity.

Good work isn’t always about the hours you put into your day. Sometimes your work quality improves when you work fewer hours.

Give Up Multitasking For A Few Days.

You may be surprised how much this relieves stress and increases productivity.

Multitasking increases errors, distractions, and ultimately makes workers more stressed.

Focus completely on each task. Prioritize your projects rather than multitask.

Treat Yourself To A Massage Or Reflexology Treatment After A Stressful Week.

Chronic pain affects up to 100 million Americans. Starting and ending your day in pain is a huge source of stress for today’s workers.

Massage soothes stress, relaxes the muscles, and is ideal to ease repetitive strain injuries caused by overwork.

Work on Yourself to Ease Stress

Set aside time each evening to work on you. Research a hobby, self-help method, or work topic that you’re passionate about.

We all have tasks that we dread, but you can keep the spark alive in your life by actively pursuing your own interests.

If your job is more stressful than fulfilling, take some time to explore training in a new field.

Volunteer, make connections, and develop a plan to pave the way to a career that can bring you success and happiness.

Ultimately, the workers who are the least stressed are the ones who are happiest with and most passionate about their jobs.

 

References:

McGlashen, A. (2013, June) Preventable pain nags most workers. Retrieved from
http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2013/preventable-pain-nags-most-office-workers/
Mercola, J. (1997-2016) Ylang ylang oil: The soothing oil. Retrieved from Mercola.com,
http://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/ylang-ylang-oil.aspx
Relaxation techniques: Breath control helps quell errant stress response (2016, March). Retrieved from Harvard Health Publications,
http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/relaxation-techniques-breath-control-helps-quell-errant-stress-response