5 Relaxation Tips for Dealing with Work Stress

Stress can be a major problem in the workplace. And this applies whether you work in an office, from home, or on the go. How, then, should freelance proofreaders approach dealing with work stress? We have five helpful relaxation tips that you might want to try.

1. Know Your Stressors

We know mindfulness has become something of a buzzword in recent years. But the general principle – i.e., being aware of your own emotions in the moment – is very valuable.

In terms of work, try to be aware of what makes you feel stressed. This has two benefits:

1. If you catch yourself starting to feel stressed or frustrated, you can take steps to remedy this (we have a few suggestions for how to do this below).
2. Learning what stresses you out makes it easier to avoid similar situations in the future.

Where possible, then, be mindful of the things that cause stress for you while you work.

2. Take a Break

One big advantage of freelance life is that you set your own work hours. Thus, if you’re feeling stressed while working, you’re always free to take a break and gather yourself.

Use this time to do something entirely separate from work. This could be something practical, like a household chore you’ve been putting off. Or you could just go for a quick walk outside.

It also pays to schedule breaks during your day. This will help you control stress and reduce the chances of burning out, thus improving your focus and productivity while you work.

3. Breathing Exercises

Deep breathing can be a great way to center yourself when feeling stressed. Simply:

1. Find a comfortable sitting or lying position, then close your eyes.
2. Rest one hand on your belly and the other on your chest.
3. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose, feeling your belly and hand move.
4. Exhale slowly through your mouth, feeling the movement again.

Repeat this process for a few minutes, focusing your attention on your breath. If you get distracted, just acknowledge the thought and return to your breath. There are other breathing exercises available, too, so try different techniques until you find one that works for you.

4. Talk to Someone

In an office, you will usually have co-workers around. If you have a problem and need advice, you can ask someone. And chatting to a colleague during a break is a great way to relax.

As a freelance proofreader, though, you may find yourself working alone most of the time. It therefore pays to have people you know you can talk to when stressed.

This may include other proofreaders (e.g., in an online group) who you can ask for opinions and advice. But it should also include friends and family that you can talk to when you’re stressed. Sometimes, a sympathetic ear is all you need to put a problem into perspective!

5. Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Stress

If you find yourself overwhelmed or anxious often, there may be some simple lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your susceptibility to stress. These include:

• Eat healthily – A good diet can help to reduce stress, so don’t skip meals and try to eat healthily. Make sure to drink lots of water and stay hydrated, too!
• Get more sleep – Stress can affect sleep. But a lack of sleep can also exacerbate stress. As such, taking steps to improve your sleep can also reduce stress.
• Exercise regularly – Regular aerobic exercise, as well as making you more physically fit, can reduce stress levels. And a bit of physical activity each day can also help you sleep better.

And you don’t have to revolutionize your life here! Simply look for small improvements you can make, such as going to bed a bit earlier or putting time aside to cook healthy meals. Even a few minor changes can make a difference, leading to less stress in the long run.

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