It’s no secret that working 8+ hours a day can drain you of your energy and will to live, with the endless meetings and nosy co-workers continually making you question why you’re doing what you’re doing.
In fact, a report by the National Safety Council revealed that seven out of ten employees report feeling tired at work. But these safety-sensitive industries, in particular, have significant percentages of fatigued workers:
- Manufacturing 63%
- Construction 65%
- Utilities 45%
- Transportation 70%
If you’re leaving your work feeling so tired, here are some ways to de-stress and clear your mind:
1. Take a warm bath.
When you’re tired, your mood is low and your muscles feel tight. One way to resolve these two problems is submerging yourself in hot water.
Dr. Bobby Buka, a dermatologist in New York, is a huge fan of hot baths and spas. According to him, “Your skin releases endorphins in response to the soothing warm water the same way that endorphins are released when you feel the sun on your skin.” Endorphins are hormones that serve as mood elevators and natural painkillers.
A hot bath also increases blood flow to the skin, which is good for circulation and helping tense muscles to relax. Moreover, the addition of Epsom salts in your warm bath also helps reduce inflammation in your joints.
2. Let off steam with exercise.
Several studies have shown that exercise lifts your mood and fights stress. How it does it has a bit of chemical explanation. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, much like how a warm bath does, and it also reduces the levels of your stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.
A great idea is to combine the power of hot baths and exercise by taking a warm bath after a 20-minute jog.
3. Get a massage chair.
A good massage after a long day is guaranteed to leave you feeling refreshed. Just like how a warm bath boosts your circulation, a massage also increases your blood circulation and reduces your blood pressure after 15 minutes.
A massage chair is a great way to get your nightly dose of massage even without going to a spa. It’s pretty easy to use, and you can even order massage chairs online.
4. Free your mind with meditation.
Lastly, a lot of people think that meditation is for the Buddhist monks up in the mountains, but meditation offers real benefits to the average Jane and Joe.
After doing an extensive review of 47 clinical trials assessing the effects of meditation on stress, researchers from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD have found that mindful meditation can ease psychological stresses like pain, depression, and anxiety.
This third tip is the most accessible because you can do this literally anywhere you are. You can do it in a secure, private space in the office maybe after a stressful meeting. You can also do it at home.
Taking care of your mental health should be a priority because it will inevitably affect your ability to have a high quality of life. Hopefully, with these tips, you’ll be more equipped to handle work-related stress.
