We see injuries that are a result of stress everyday.
Here are some useful pointers to limit the negative impact of stress at work:
Physical Stress Skills
- Keep your body moving regularly to loosen muscles and joints and use up the excess energy generated by the stress response.
- Incorporate gentle breathing exercises whenever you can: see our exercises section and physio videos to learn more
- When stressed and tense, shake your limbs to release tension.
- Get to know some simple stretches and exercises to release tension in your stress areas: particularly of the jaw, neck and shoulders, arms, hands and lower back.
- Practice humming loudly or silently to calm your mind and nervous system.
- Get out in nature and seek open horizons, or remember to look up at the sky! This creates a sense of space inside when we feel stuck.
Mental Stress Skills
- Develop positive thinking habits.
- Exercise regularly.
- Write down something that went well recently, or three things that you are grateful for.
- Commit five random acts of kindness.
- Appreciate the things you have control over and accept those you don’t.
- Consciously wish the best for others.
- Sleep (or just rest if sleeping is difficult) and eat well.