“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” -William James

At some stage in our lives, many of us experience stress, especially in a work setting. Unexpected projects or tasks, an influx of emails, ringing phones, back-to-back meetings, looming deadlines, or feeling overloaded can all contribute to work-related stress.

It is crucial to differentiate between working diligently and overworking, which can negatively impact relationships and physical well-being. Work-induced stress can be overpowering and detrimental to both your physical and emotional wellness.

Here are some tips on how to manage your stress:

• Add micro-breaks into your workday: An EVP of a multinational technology company shared a valuable tip for incorporating micro-breaks into the work routine. By setting a phone alarm to ring every two hours, it serves as a reminder to step away from the computer, stretch, walk around, and hydrate. Research indicates that contrary to the belief that recovery only occurs after work or during extended holidays, short breaks of about 10 minutes, known as micro-breaks, are remarkably effective in combating daily work stress and various job demands. Engaging in brief moments of meditation, enjoying a nutritious snack, social interactions, or activities involving cognitive focus, such as reading, can enhance motivation, concentration, uplift your mood, and maintain energy levels throughout the day.

• Enhance your sleep routine: According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), adults should target seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Lack of sleep can lead to reduced daily performance, productivity, concentration, and decision-making abilities. This can also result in increased workplace stress due to feelings of frustration, irritability, and anxiety.

• Practice relaxation techniques: Meditation, mindfulness, and grounding techniques such as deep breathing exercises, can help calm the mind and body. It helps to regularly practice these relaxation techniques so you can more easily use them when stressed.

• Make sure to unwind and recharge after work: Many of us take our jobs home with us without realizing it. To prevent the harmful impacts of ongoing stress and burnout, it's essential to take time to revitalize and restore our energy levels to where they were before stress took its toll. This rejuvenation process involves stepping away from work, allowing yourself moments where work isn't on your mind or in your actions. This can involve mentally going over what you're looking forward to in the rest of your evening, refocusing your attention to your life.

At the end of the day, it is important to pause and reflect. Remember that there are more important things in life, such as health and family; in comparison, work-related stress is minor. We cannot control everything around us, but we can certainly control our attitude towards them.