A wise man once said "find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life," but most of us are wise enough to know that we'll probably have to settle for a job we just like. According to the American Institute of Stress, 25% of people say their job is the #1 source of stress in their life, and it's impacting everything from our sleep habits to our mental health.
But it doesn't have to be this way. No matter what you do for a living, you can find what Buddhists call the Middle Way: where the stress and anxiety of your job are in harmony with your peaceful inner life.
Try these 7 methods if you're feeling burnt out.
1. Declutter your work space
If your desk or office is in chaos, that chaos will radiate out to every other part of your job. Tidying up will help improve your focus, making your work seem instantly easier.
2. Make time for yourself
Even if your breaks are limited, be sure to make the most of them. Taking a few moments each day to breathe deep, go for a walk or do some desk yoga can really improve your outlook.
3. Leave your problems at the door
The biggest mistake we make is taking our office problems home, or - even worse - taking stress from our regular lives to work with us. Try and draw a firm line between work hours and home, and don't let any bad thoughts cross from one side to the other.
Click the next page for 4 more ways to find your zen!
4. Add a little "you" to your job
Lots of people feel upset at their jobs because they feel like they can't "be themselves," so finding opportunities to let your personality shine through can really brighten your day. Take a moment to chat with your customers, or talk with your coworkers about their day.
The numbers vary, but most experts say we spend more than half our lives at work, so don't be afraid to be yourself.
5. Build a routine
Some people complain that they feel like they're jumping from one task to the next all day, with no breaks to catch their breath. It's important to make a routine (deal with problem A in the morning and B in the afternoon) and stick to it. This organizes your day and keeps you sane when things get busy.
6. Cut out interruptions
There's nothing more stressful than being constantly bothered when you're working. When you're feeling the crunch, unplug your phone, ignore your e-mail inbox and allow yourself to focus on one task at a time.
7. Put your problems in context
How often do you spend your days worrying about things that turn out to be totally unimportant? Worrying is (mostly) a waste of energy. Either find something productive to do right now, or remind yourself that it will all be okay - because it probably will.
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