Quick Ways to De-Stress At Work
Water and Food Make a Big Impact
Many people are working longer hours and doing the work of several people. Hunched over a computer or isolated in a cubicle, this kind of work environment is not conducive to health. So change that. At least three times a day, get up, stretch, go for a walk outside, and drink a full glass of water. A 5% drop in body fluids can cause a 25 to 30 percent loss in energy, and roughly 80% of North Americans are chronically dehydrated.
Add lemon: the scent is said to cut keyboard mistakes in half. And eat some pistachios or walnuts to help cut inflammation, boost your energy, and support a healthier mood.
Key Takeaways
- Even mild dehydration (a 5% drop in body fluids) is linked to a 25 to 30 percent loss in energy, and most North Americans are chronically dehydrated.
- Small resets during the workday, standing up, stretching, a short walk, a glass of water, protect focus better than pushing through.
- Pistachios and walnuts are linked to lower inflammation and better mood regulation.
- Happiness tends to drive performance, not just the reverse. Positive, engaged employees are consistently more productive.
Pay Attention to What Brings You Joy
Research in positive psychology points to a correlation between happiness and success that runs in the opposite direction from what most people assume: being happy first tends to produce greater success, rather than success producing happiness. Happy, optimistic, motivated employees are consistently more productive and, in some studies, outsell their less optimistic peers by a wide margin.
So focus on what brings you joy, and do that more often. It is one of the most direct ways to cope with stress and build a happier life.
These habits connect to the Recovery element of the Leadership Resilience System: the physical and emotional restoration that sustains performance over time. For more on building sustainable habits under pressure, explore the Leadership Resilience Hub.