There’s nothing more depressing than coming back to work after a couple of days off to find that your stress levels are right back where they were before you left the office. If you’re back in pre-vacation mode a few hours after opening your email, here’s how to get the new year off to a better start.
(Photo Credit: bottled_void/Flickr)
1. Take an email vacation.
Unless you work at a company that eschews email altogether, you’re probably not going to get away with never using email again. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a slave to it. Taking time away from your inbox can make you more productive and less stressed. In fact, many productivity experts suggest checking your email only a few times a day.
2. Start your day from a place of calm.
Do whatever you need to do to avoid starting off in a panic. If that means getting up a few minutes earlier, then make the effort and set your alarm. You’ll get more done if you have time in the morning to think about your day and make a plan.
3. Pay attention to your triggers.
The Mayo Clinic suggests keeping a journal of your stressors, including descriptions of each incident and answers to these questions:
- Where were you?
- Who was involved?
- What was your reaction?
- How did you feel?
Once you understand what stresses you out, you’ll be better able to avoid situations that contribute to the problem. But perhaps the best thing about the journal is that it reminds you that you have control over the situation — something it’s easy to forget about when pressures mount.
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