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Most people work a 40 hour week so we can estimate that
we typically spend about 2,000 hours at work each year. And many people work
even more than this. Yet we often don’t take the time to ensure that our job
setting is a pleasant place to be. Our jobs are often very stressful and
stress is a known trigger for many common ailments and diseases. Many
studies have been done on the relationship between job stress and a variety
of ailments. Mood and sleep disturbances, upset stomach, headaches and
disturbed relationships with family and friends are examples of stress
related problems that are quick to develop. Before you think about stress
reduction, start by identifying the particular stresses in your work and the
effect they have on you. What, specifically, is it about your work situation
that makes you feel anxious, angry, frustrated, burned out, depressed, etc?
Do you have a difficult boss or co-worker? Do you have too much work and not
enough time to do it? When you come up with your list of stressors, address
them one at a time. Managing stress is a slow and measured process that
should take place over time and not all at once. Take stock of the situation
and make a note of the things that are causing you the most concern. Look at
things that you can do, or ask for support that will ease the situation, no
matter how small. Set some achievable goals towards removing the problem.
Think back to some similar situations you have overcome and apply these
lessons. A common reaction to a stressful situation is to try to escape, at
least temporarily, by taking a coffee break or a quick smoke. But this only
adds to the toxins in your body and does not attempt to deal with the
underlying causes. A more effective response is to confront the tasks that
cause you stress. Develop healthy habits one day at a time. Take a short
walk in the morning, eat regularly, take time over your meals, and keep in
touch with your mind and body. It can be very beneficial to change your own
outlook and actions rather than trying to change others who you believe are
the cause of your stress. No matter what the causes of your tension and
stress are, there are many strategies you can use to help protect you
against the ill effects of stress. We elaborate on a different strategy to
relieve stress each month in this newsletter. Implementing aromatherapy into
your life can go a long way in easing your stress as well as the stress
levels of others around you. One of the main attributes of pure essential
oils is their ability to relieve stress with immediate positive benefits.
Because of the emotional elements which are at play in stress-related
conditions, the choice of essential oils depends largely on the causes of
the problem and the temperment of each individual and how they respond under
pressure. Only use oils that appeal to you. If you do not like the scent, it
will not have the desired effect. There are many ways to bring aromatherapy
into the workplace. Diffusers heat essential oils and allows their molecules
to be released into the atmosphere. Inhaling different essential oils can
alter your mood, stimulate creativity, help concentration and rid an area of
airborne viruses and bacteria. Scenting your office with Lavender essential
oil is said to reduce computer errors at least 25%. If you have to work in
an air conditioned or stuffy building, using essential oils in a diffuser or
spritzing a spritzer can really clear the air. Geranium, Lavender, Lemon,
Peppermint and Rosemary are all excellent for a quick pick me up. Try
Chamomile, Lavender, Orange or Sandalwood oil. All are thought to help
combat stress and tension. Here are a few more ideas to get you started. If
you can’t use a diffuser at work, simply put a drop of essential oil on a
tissue and keep with you to sniff whenever you need to. Put a few drops of
your favorite essential oil on the cardboard tube inside a roll of toilet
paper to fragrance the bathroom at work. Let scent be your calling card.
Simply add your favorite essential oils to cotton balls and place your
business cards and the cotton balls in a box with a lid. Keep tightly closed
for at least 1 week. Mix 5 drops of Lavender essential oil (or your favorite
oil) into about a teaspoon of Jojoba or Almond oil. Dab on a cloth and wipe
the surfaces of your desk and top of the computer. When the heat of the
computer warms the oil there is a pleasant fresh fragrance wafting through
the air. There is help for your stress! Aromatherapy has been proven to be
excellent for stress relief as well as increasing productivity and
efficiency levels. The possibilities are only limited to your imagination.
For more ideas and information, check out our website that is over 100 pages
large and growing. |
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