There are times at work when you have a lot of tasks to finish. When they are thrown at you all at the same time, you might feel stress or the feeling that you won’t be able to fulfill everything. Yes, you are working on a deadline and other people may be relying on your update so that they could do their part of the project. This doesn’t mean however that you shouldn’t allow time in between to manage the stress that you are feeling. In fact, if you take the time to address whatever stress is arising, you’ll become more efficient and effective in taking on your work task. There are various ways to relax throughout a workday, and these are quick hacks to motivate you to keep going.

If you don’t find a way to relax at work, you may eventually experience burnout. When you feel burnt out, motivation levels will be at a low and you might find it difficult to finish your task. You will feel much more committed to doing your part of the parcel if you are able to relax in times of high stress. Your productivity will also improve because your mind is cleared out of negative thoughts and you’re much more refreshed to finish work. Plus, if you could relax at any time of the day, you will enjoy your job as a whole and have a positive attitude. People would like to work around you as you are more likely to be kind, friendly, calm, and professional.

We round up some ways on how you can relax during a stressful work day.

1. Breathe in some fresh air.

Do not underestimate the power of fresh air as an immediate pick-me-up. Sometimes when you’re stressed, it gets too overwhelming because you are focused on negativity. You need to calm down and recharge so that your mind will be cleared and you could focus on fulfilling your tasks. Once the bell rings for break time, take a walk outside, breathe in the fresh air, and observe the world around you. Focus on what you see and hear. Feel the sun on your face, take a deep breath, and live in the present. For most people, a change in scenery can do wonders to get them back on track for work.

2. Meditate.

Always find the time to sit down and meditate. It could be as short as five minutes in a day and you would instantly feel more relaxed five minutes before you sat down. You could do it before a predicted busy day at work so you could start with a relaxed and calm mind. Find a comfortable position, put your hands on your lap, take deep breaths while slowly closing your eyes and counting as you inhale and exhale. Focus your mind on the contraction and expansion of your lungs. Of course, like any other practice, meditation takes some time to get used to. Once you’ve mastered the activity, you would see how relaxed it could make you. During work, don’t hesitate to take some time away from your desk so that you can take some deep breaths and let go of what’s making you stressed.

3. Delve into aromatherapy.

Why not try tapping into holistic forms of treatment such as aromatherapy? Here you would be using scents so that you could release feelings good for your well-being and overall health. There are many scents in the market that could evoke feelings of relaxation such as peppermint or lavender oil that are said to be refreshing and calming. Aromatherapy can be tried by using diffusers, aromatic spritzers, and/or lotions.

4. Listen to music that will calm you down.

Make your own playlist that can aid you to feel more relaxed while you’re stressing out at work. Instrumental music can help you continue working quietly by helping calm down your mind. You could also search for a playlist that has already been curated and designed for focus and relaxation. They say that music helps a lot to steer your mindset in a different direction and help you focus.

5. Release tension in your body.

Prolonged sitting may be causing some unwanted tension in your body. Check in and listen to how your body feels while you work. Let go of the tension by making sure you are seated comfortably in the first place. Invest in an ergonomic office chair to provide ample support for your back and neck. The next thing to do is to change your position. You may easily shift from a sitting to a standing position if you have a height adjustable standing desk. You could improve your posture with a standing desk converter. Afterward, do some stretches. Release the tension built up by stress in your body.

6. Nourish yourself with healthy food.

Skip the junk food and grab something healthy to eat. Not all people realize that in order to be calmer and more relaxed as a person, you need your physical health to also be in a good state. The junk food may taste good at the moment but your body will just feel crap after. Healthy food has the power to give you energy; therefore, making you more productive. You’ll be able to relax and unwind towards the end of the day if you make use of your time efficiently.

7. Drink lots of water.

There are many drinks that are created to give you energy. These drinks, however, may not be able to calm you down. Drink some water instead. It’s important that you stay hydrated so that you feel your best throughout the day.

8. Socialize with your colleagues.

If you’ve been working for a while, take a breather and socialize with your colleagues. It doesn’t matter whether you report to the office or work at home, you can always start a quick chat with your officemate who isn’t busy and talk about something other than work. Make it casual and light, using the opportunity to build rapport and strengthen your professional relationship with the people you work with. These conversations can help lighten your day, make you more spontaneous, and promote an overall good mental state.

9. Create an ideal work environment for yourself.

Your desk clutter or workspace may be causing you some stress. If you are busy at the moment, then just make sure to set aside time to clean your workspace. If you want it to be organized sustainably, then make use of smart storage solutions. Have a mesh desk organizer in your tabletop or a mobile file cabinet so that your files and items will stay organized.

To make you smile at different points of the day, add pictures, plants, and motivational quotes. These could be little pick-me-ups to help you feel relaxed at any time of the day.

Moreover, you can invest in ergonomic furniture so that you can stay comfortable, healthy, and efficient while working on and finishing your tasks.