Make Your Job a Joy
BY BETHANY HEITMAN
Fact: Over the course of their lifetime, the average person in the United States will spend approximately 90,000 hours working. So, if your job triggers massive amounts of stress it can have a pretty gnarly effect on your day-to-day life.
Unfortunately, nearly 50 percent of people say that their job stresses them out. And that stress can lead to sleep issues, digestive problems, headaches and more.
But health issues aren’t the only problem.
Work dread can also dim your joy in other areas of life, too. For example, if you’re so caught up thinking about what you’re not looking forward to the next day on the job, you may miss out on fun family dinner time.
Photo by Nick Fewings
So, what can you do? There are tiny (easy!) little moves you can try. Not only will these pointers stop work malaise in its tracks, they’ll actually infuse your day with little sparks of infectious joy. Here, just a few.
Start Your Day Right
Hitting snooze a few dozen times before launching yourself out of bed, taking a quick shower and guzzling coffee on your way to the office is not exactly the most peaceful way to start your day. On the other hand, getting in a short but effective workout, eating a deliciously healthy breakfast and listening to your favorite band as you commute? Well, that certainly sounds nice. Fitting in things you enjoy before work will put you on a path to feel happier all day long.
Brighten Up Your Workspace
There’s plenty of research on the mood-altering abilities of color, so why not deck out your work space in hues that will make you happy. Citrusy shades (think lemon yellow and bright orange) are said to make you feel more energized and joyful. With this in mind, try placing a lovely bouquet of yellow daffodils on your desk or hang some fun orange artwork on your wall.
Don’t Sweat It
Annoying things are bound to pop up from time to time—but that doesn’t mean you have to let those things ruin your day. When something happens, try not to react immediately. Instead take a deep breath and ask yourself, “Is this worth getting worked up about?” The answer will usually be no, which will be a lot easier to realize when you’ve given yourself a moment to really think about it.
Take Breaks
When you’ve got a to-do list that is a mile long, it can be tempting to jump from one thing to the next with no break. Big mistake. This will cause fatigue, which will likely slow down your work pace. You’re better off scheduling a few 15 minute breaks throughout the day to do something fun and mindless. Take a walk outside to enjoy the sunshine, watch a few funny YouTube videos or text with a good friend. Giving your brain a break will help you feel less stressed and more joyful.
Unplug at the End of the Day
Ideally, you wouldn’t bring work home with you—but considering many of us work from home now, that’s a tough rule to follow. At the end of each day, do your best to stop checking work email on your phone and to put your laptop away. Instead, do things that give your brain a break—whether it be a quick yoga session, binging a juicy reality show or both. By literally putting down your phone and giving yourself a little some me-time, you’re able to unplug and recharge for another day. Can’t fully part with your phone? Keep your email app hidden in a folder rather than right there on your phone screen—that way you won’t be as tempted to open it.
Bethany Heitman, Contributor
P.S. Remember that no matter what you're going through right now, you don't have to do it alone! There are others like you in our community, where we interact on a daily basis, fight our demons, share our victories, and watch over each other as friends and accountability partners.
Together we are FÖRENA - a health & fitness community for women like you where we focus not only on our physical health but also mind, soul, relationships, and overall well-being. Become one of us now with FREE 1-month membership, and let us witness your growth! 🌱
Pin it for later
