Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every workday could be enjoyable and productive? Unfortunately, it’s not always something that’s entirely under your control. If you’re working on a frustrating project, dealing with personal problems, or feeling under the weather, those things can have a negative effect.

But luckily, there are things you can do to increase your chances of having a good day, every day. Author Elizabeth Scott suggests that you try the following to reduce your stress, boost your energy, and increase your feelings of happiness:

  • Get started on the right foot – Mornings can be hectic and stressful. But you can make things run a little more smoothly by doing a bit of planning the night before. Each evening, spend a few minutes picking out what you’re going to wear the next day (and ironing it, if necessary), packing yourself a lunch, planning what you’ll eat for breakfast, etc. This will give you more time in the morning to savor your coffee and get ready for work. Your morning will be less chaotic, and you won’t need to rush to get to the office on time.
  • Get organized – If you’re organized, your day will progress a lot more smoothly. So make a list of the tasks that you’d like to complete and cross them off when you’re done. Try to keep your desk free of clutter, and file away those loose papers.
  • Don’t argue with people – Be kind to your coworkers. Try to avoid conflict. Arguing or feuding with a coworker will only make you feel lousy and exhausted.  
  • Get some clarity – If you’re not really sure what you’re supposed to be doing on a certain project, this can be extremely stressful. So if you find yourself in this situation, talk to your manager about your role and what’s expected of you. Getting some clarification will help you to feel more confident and be more productive.
  • Get comfy – You don’t want to go through your workday feeling stiff and achy. It’s important to have a supportive chair and maintain good posture. In addition, if your workplace tends to be noisy, this may cause you to feel annoyed and uncomfortable. A pair of noise-cancelling headphones could help you to solve this problem.
  • Don’t multitask – Multitasking is not especially efficient or effective. When you multitask, you’re not actually working on multiple things at the same time. You’re just switching back and forth between tasks, instead of focusing on one thing at a time. And this can have negative consequences. You should try to avoid it.
  • Take a walk – Take a walk during the day. It feels wonderful to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. It’s also a great stress reliever. Even a short walk around the block can help to make you feel a little more upbeat and energetic.
  • Try not to be a perfectionist – It’s great that you take pride in your work and want to do a good job. But in many cases, it’s simply not possible to be perfect. Being a perfectionist can be incredibly stressful and make you agonize over every decision you make. To avoid this problem, try to remind yourself that you don’t need to be perfect – you simply need to do your best. And your best work is something to be proud of.
  • Listen to a little music – Listening to music as you drive home from work can be a great way to unwind. Singing along to your favorite song can help you to relax, boost your mood, and make the end of your workday a little more enjoyable.

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Scott, E. (2020, January 20). 9 simple ways to deal with stress at work. Verywellmind. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-deal-with-stress-at-work-3145273