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Life in the workplace can be exceptionally challenging. You may feel like you are constantly stressed. However, for you to be your most effective, you need to learn how to de-stress. It is important to take time for yourself so that you can be of better use to your team and you can help the project to succeed. So, how can you reduce workplace-induced stress? Let’s take a look at some suggestions:

Find the source of your stress – The first thing you need to do is make sure you find out whether or not there are any underlying causes of stress. Is there a specific part of the working process that makes you feel this way? If so, look to change it. Is someone harassing you in the workplace? If so, don’t stand for it. Whether it’s age discrimination, gender discrimination, or any other type of harassment or seclusion, you need to act on it. Dealing with the problem will result in your stress going away. No one should have to put up with this.

Meditation – Meditation is one of the best ways to de-stress while you are at work. Research shows that meditation in a high-pressure organisation has a great success rate in terms of changing stress levels. Not only this, but people experience an improvement in their creative problem-solving skills, as well as their family and work relationships, and their overall well being. Nowadays, thanks to the rise of apps and smartphones, meditating for beginners is easy. You can download a meditation app and it is like you have your own personal coach with you everywhere you go.

Take a nap – Going to sleep at work may not sound like the best idea, but it can do you the world of good. Worker fatigue is said to cost billions of pounds per year according to the National Sleep Foundation. If you are feeling tired, it is highly unlikely that you are going to be of much use in any case. Instead, a quick, 20-minute power nap can make a massive difference in terms of improving employee performance, concentration, and attention. Of course, it is a good idea to make sure that napping is allowed at your place of work.

Talk a walk – It is never good to sit at your desk for eight hours. Even if you feel like you have a never-ending list of emails and messages to reply to, you need to take a break. A mere 15-minute walk outside is all it takes to ensure you are more efficient and focused when you get back. This is something that has been backed up by a study carried out by the University of Michigan. They determined that you can boost your memory and attention by 20 per cent by going outside and walking through green spaces.

There is no denying that life as a project manager is incredibly stressful. That is why you need to use the tips above. Not only will they benefit you, but they will benefit your team and your project as well.

Aggie Aviso