By Alli C.

Going into work can be an exhausting and stressful experience if you are coping with a difficult circumstance outside of your job schedule. While at work, your supervisors and coworkers expect you to be handling tasks at hand to the best of your ability. At the same time, you must be goal oriented, motivated and willing to learn something new each and every day. Unless you are superhuman, being in a fantastic mood on a daily basis can be quite difficult when you’re in a negative headspace. Unfortunately, this kind of tension has the ability to affect your mood at work, resulting in poor performance. To avoid experiencing stress on the job or during your commute, motivate yourself by reading this list of tips to make it more enjoyable.

#1: Record your stressors

Stress can be triggered in a variety of ways, and it may be difficult for you to know what is causing it. The way your body responds to it, how often it comes and goes, and how you cope with the effects can all differ from person to person. The first step is to simply keep a record of each stressful episode in a notebook or chart. If you wonder why you’re experiencing frequent stress, this will clear any confusion and give you an accurate indication of your stress patterns. Write down the event that caused it, the time it happened and your reaction to the cause. While recording these results, it is important to be honest with yourself in order to make the changes suitable for a better mood. One of the best ways to get to know yourself better is to play games. Try a game like Moving Motivators, or Delegation Poker or take a workshop, to better understand what drives you, and what makes you tick.

#2: Declutter anything finance-related

Did you know that 30 percent of Americans are “constantly” stressed about money, according to source published by CNBC. For most adults, money is what drives our passion to go to work. We like being able to pay for things that bring us joy, like a vacation, a new car or little splurges here and there. As for a young working adult, it can be difficult to keep track of your payments in general, along with establishing a budget or arranging your college-related payments.

What can you do? Devise an organized system for your finances— start by looking into student loan repayment opportunities to ensure you’re utilizing the best payment plan, invest in a bullet journal to keep your spending in order, and take control over your finances. The more organized you are, the better you will feel about where your money is going (and hey!) maybe you’ll have more than you thought.

#3: Utilize technology

With a world dominated by the use of smart products, a number of companies have invented anti-stress tools that can be used on the go or at home. Smartphones have downloadable apps that can help relax your mind. Or, by using a sound machine, you’ll fall asleep to the background noise of ocean waves or tropical rain, relaxing melodies that can improve sleep duration and help you wake up ready to conquer the day.

#4: Take care of yourself

Feeling your best and eliminating stress comes along with a consistent self-care routine. From getting enough sleep, to exercising and eating healthy foods, your body needs fuel to perform well throughout the day. For example, start every morning with a big glass of water and a good read. When grocery shopping, find foods that will nourish your body, like greens and fruits. After the workday, go for a run or do yoga stretches to improve your energy and mindfulness. Create your own self-care checklist at home so when you’re driving to work, you’ll be prepared to start the day mentally and physically strong.

Do you have other mechanisms that help you cope with stress? Let us know in the comments below!

Read on:

How to manage stress in the workplace
How to Succeed at a High-Stress Job
6 Tips on How To Reduce Stress at Work
The importance of leaving work at work
Set a positive mood for your working day with these morning hacks
Simple and fast Methods for a Better Work Life Balance
Occupational Burnout: We all have it. Now what do we do?

Photo: Ryoji Iwata (Unsplash)