Twenties Life

Let’s be honest.  Sometimes things at work get stressful.  And nobody wants to be the person who looks like he’s tweaking because he’s always so stressed out.  Nor do you wanna be the person who bottles up stress until one day… BOOM.  With that in mind, let’s explore some simple yet effective ways to relieve some of that stress.

1. Close Your Eyes – This one works well with visualization.  It’s like a 1 minute vacation.  You just imagine some beautiful place where you are relaxing on the beach (or whatever gets you mellowed).  For me, I imagine myself on a white sandy beach in Antigua (I’m going soon for my honeymoon!). It really helps relieve the stress.
2. Count to Ten – Though I’ve never used this method, some people swear it relieves stress.  Sure they look a little weird when the do it out loud, but whatever gets the weight off your shoulders…
3. Take a Walk – This was my method of choice during my undergrad career.  If studying got too heavy, I’d just take a short walk.  Of course my college campus was on a 540 acre nature reserve, so it was much more beautiful and zen than some concrete jungles.  But it was super effective.
4. Get a Drink – Hydration is key to managing stress.  People who drink a lot of coffee and other caffeinated drinks tend to have more stress, because caffeine is a diuretic, which means it dehydrates you.  Always drink water, you can never have too much.
5. Tea – Tea is a magical drink.  It has a chemical called theanine which reduces cortisol.  This in turn reduces both mental and physical stress.  Try to drink a cup or two a day… or 5.
6. Take a Day Off - A real day off.  Like a day to stay home and watch tv, go to the park, see a movie, listen to your favorite album, cook your favorite meal, sit on your porch or balcony and enjoy the sunlight, etc.  Make it a real vacation day.
7. Get a Plant – Plants are like natural air filters.  They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.  You should have a few around your work station.
8. Declutter - Clutter on your desk is like a visual representation of your stress.  Nobody expects your desk to be perfect, but believe me, a cleaner desk is a clearer mind.
9. Vibe Out To Some Tunes - Nothing can take you away from your stress like some good tunes.  I love “feel good music” like Beach Boys, or for music that people our age actually listen to, Owl City.  In fact, I’ve found a decent happy music playlist for you here.
10. Make a Personal Call – Sometimes a familiar voice can turn your day around.  Take a few minutes, and make a personal call.  Have a conversation with someone who really makes you feel good.  Obviously you don’t want to make a habit of this, but once in a while is understandable.
11. Get Fit, Stay Fit - There is nothing that helps relieve stress more than exercise.  It releases endorphins, relieves stress and frustration, helps you sleep better, and makes you look better.
12. Stretch – I stretch in my office every day, every couple of hours actually.  It’s a great feeling, and it helps fight bad posture and things like carpal tunnel syndrome.
13. Eat Lunch Outside – Any way you can get out of your office is a way you can relieve stress.  People tend to associate their offices with work, and therefore with stress as well.  Get outta that place as often as you can!
14. Relaxing Scents – It’s no surprise that aroma therapy is real.  So why is it that people don’t use that knowledge at work?  Get a relaxing scented candle or spray.  Scent up your office a little.  Not only will it be relaxing, but it will be more inviting to your co-workers.
15. Help Someone Else – Nothing helps you forget your troubles like helping someone with theirs.  It’s one of the greatest feelings in the world being able to help others.  Do it now and do it often.
16. 5 Minute Online Vacation – Hit up Youtube.com and search for your favorite destination.  See the sights (digitally) and learn a thing or two about it.  Take a 5 minute online vacation.
17. Work Hard, Play Hard – A healthy separation of work and play is key to managing stress.  When you leave work, leave work.  Keep personal things personal and business things at work.
18. Forgive Yourself – You are going to slip up.  We all do.  Forgive yourself for your shortcomings and take steps to improve.  In that way, every day will be better.
19. Leave Work On Time – Don’t be the person who stays at work for hours after closing time.  Leave work on time.  Work isn’t life, it just provides you with what you need to do and have the things you want.
20. Read A Joke – Comedy, nature’s cure for all ailments.  Laugh a little and you’ll feel better in no time.
21. Make a Funny Face – There is just something about making funny faces that takes us back to age 6.  And how many of you had a stressful life at age 6?  Exactly.
22. Take Care of Yourself Regularly - If you aren’t taking care of yourself, you’ll never be able to get the stress off your back.  Do the little things that make you feel pampered.  Eat well.  Get outside.  Nurture healthy relationships and cut off bad ones.  Do everything you can to ensure that you are in tip top shape, physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.  If this is the case, it’s easy to let the stress roll off.

There you have it.  Our 22 easy ways to relieve the stress.  But I’m sure we missed a few.  So help us out. What do you do to get rid of stress?  Leave your great tips below and help us get this stress off our backs!