What’s the great thing about work? You get to work with people. What’s the bad thing about work? You get to work with people. Work can generate lots of stress. From tight deadlines to irksome co-workers stress in the workplace is everywhere.

Now, a little stress is actually good. Stress can help you work harder and function at your best. Stress can help you focus, but too much stress can be bad for both your mental and physical health. In order to perform at your best, work and office stress should be managed to prevent other more severe problems from cropping up, like depression or anxiety.

Here are seven simple work and office stress relief tips that you can use to reduce your workplace stress and live a happier, healthier life.

1) Make a list and use it

Writing down your tasks can make them less overwhelming. When I started writing down what I needed to do I found that I not only I could stay on task I could actually sleep better. This was because I wasn’t thinking about what I needed to do all the time and wouldn’t wake up in the middle of the night thinking about what I didn’t do that day or needed to do the next day. I’m certain you will find a things-to-do-list much easier to manage than having errands all crumpled up in your head. Writing down what you need to do, and putting a specific schedule and time to do them will helps you relieve your stress and anxiety while managing your activities, one chunk at a time. You will find that crossing out an activity that has already been accomplished is extremely rewarding and can give you more confidence when tackling your next task.

2) Single task

Many people say they are good at multi tasking. While this might be true for about 5 % of the people on this earth, most people just don’t multitask all that well. Studies have found that most people work best when concentrating on one thing at a time. One of the best ways for dealing with stress in general and particularly in the workplace is to focus all your attention on one task at one time. Don’t worry about the other ones on your to-do list until you get to them. Thinking about the other ones only adds unnecessary stress and gets in the way of accomplishing the task you are working on.

3) Work on your priority items

As you schedule your daily tasks put a priority on them. When you prioritize you’ll focus your energy on tasks that will give you the biggest bang for the energy you spend. You can work on the tasks that aren’t as important later in the day when you don’t have as much energy. This way you get the important things done and don’t dissipate energy on the tasks that are just not that important.

4) Give your work away

Just like you do not need to do everything all at once, you do not need to do everything on your own. Another great method of dealing with stress is asking for help from people on your team, or, if you work for yourself, hiring some help. When you try to do too much it can be overwhelming. If you can’t hire someone to help in your business, hire someone to mow the lawn or get a sitter to watch your kids. It can take a big load off unnecessary worry and anxiety off your shoulders. More than that, it is easier checking up on how things are going than worrying yourself sick while trying to do everything on your own.

5) Treat yourself

When you accomplish something treat yourself. Give yourself a reward. You deserve it. When you acknowledge your accomplishments, no matter how big or small, you give yourself a boost that helps you in your next task or activity. Also, enjoying the reward reduces stress and could even make you look forward to doing your next task.

6) Rest between tasks

Here’s one I really had to work on. It’s also one you absolutely need it to be more productive. Take a ten to fifteen minute break every hour or so to rest and recharge. Get up and take a brisk walk. Go visit a nearby café. Just get up and away from your work and office stress for a few minutes.  Do anything to take your mind off work at least for a few minutes. One thing I teach many of my clients, if they can’t get away from work, is to sit with their eyes closed as they visualize a peaceful landscape or a relaxing scene from their memory. This is a great way of dealing with office stress while relaxing your muscles and your mind.

7) Remember its all small stuff

I heard someone say this once, “Don’t sweat the small stuff and remember – it’s all small stuff.” I found that that advice can be so true and that whoever said it was absolutely right because unless it is literally life and death, it is all small stuff.

So there you have it, 7 simple work and office stress relief tips that you can put to use right away. You spend more time at work than anything else you do. It’s going to be stressful every once and a while so you need some good methods of dealing with stress, so put these to use. Decide to relax and be cool. Doing so will make you healthier, happier, and a lot more productive.

Want to learn more?

IF you are interested in receiving more information on how to manage and control your stress follow this link to receive your complimentary copy of “Discover How to Overcome Stress Naturally.” This normally $29.99 e-course will give you 7 lessons with natural methods that will help you get your stress immediately under control. You don’t have to be stressed out anymore. Click here for your complimentary copy of “Discover How to Overcome Stress Naturally.”

About the author: Wil Dieck is a leading authority on the use of hypnosis and NLP to help people reduce stress, anxiety and using them to control mild to moderate depression. He is the founder of Total Mind Therapy, a method that uses hypnosis and NLP for quick and permanent mind shifts. His office is located in San Diego, California. If you would like help learning how to control your stress using hypnosis and NLP call (619) 293-3255 for a complimentary, risk free evaluation to determine what method of stress reduction might be best for you.