Stress can hit us at any time at work and leave our minds cluttered and frustrated. Here are a few short ways to relieve stress when it hits you at work:

Peel an orange

Focus on the motion of peeling the orange and how the rind feels between your fingertips. Try to peel the orange in an unbroken coil, it will refocus your mind on something simple and pleasurable and give you some time to relax.

Eat a banana

Bring a banana to work with you every day, they contain high levels of potassium that regulate blood pressure to relieve stress and improve energy and recovery.

Play dramatic music

Music with a strong drum beat and dramatic sequence can be equally as relieving as classical music. Hum along to one of your favorite songs to put you in a happier mood.

Massage your ears

Your ears contain many nerves, so learn the pressure points that help with stress and take some time to massage them.

Play paper ball

Scrunch up balls of discarded paper and toss them in to your trash can. Set a goal of getting 5 paper balls in the trash. You will instantly feel good about yourself when you reach your goal.

Find a ridiculous screen saver

Browse through some images to find a ridiculous one that will make you laugh.

Draw a messy picture

Put your pen on paper and don’t lift it for 60 seconds. Your drawing doesn’t have to make sense or look like anything, the point is to relieve your overwhelmed mind with a mindless activity.

Blank out

Stare at a point on the wall and allow yourself to blank out for a minute. A way of clearing a congested mind is to accept defeat and temporarily do absolutely nothing.

Wriggle

Wriggle your toes, fingers, nose, and legs to waken your body and promote circulation.

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