,thatThere are many stress triggers in even the most Zen workspace. From co-workers interrupting your workflow to a detail-oriented boss looking over your shoulders. Over time, these stressors compound, and our emotional and physical health become compromised. And you can’t afford to get stressed at work!  Here are some quick ways to deal with stress at work when you can’t get away from the source of your stress. It’s time for you to create a Zen office space.

6 Zen Office Space Ideas

Affirmations

The moment you are stressed by a person or event, repeat a positive affirmation immediately. This rewires the release of stress hormones and stops the stress response. Studies show that individuals, who memorize affirmations, have lower cortisol levels than those who do not repeat affirmations in stress times. Create your own positive short thought, “I am strong or everything happens for a reason.”

Gratitude at work

It is impossible to experience gratitude and stress simultaneously, therefore the moment you are stressed say to yourself, “I am grateful for my health and I am grateful for my friends (family) and I am grateful for who I am.” It doesn’t matter what you are grateful for we know that not only does saying this stop the stress response, but also in the long-term studies show grateful people have very happy lives.

Guided imagery

Memorize a calming peaceful place in your past where you have experienced total peace and calm; a mountain, the beach, a farm, in your garden. Take a deep breath and be at that place in your mind. You stop the stress response.

Jewelry

Wear a bracelet or beaded bracelet on your wrist. If a person or event is stressing you  try to touch your beads with your fingers and take a deep breath or say a positive word or a positive affirmation as you touch each bead. This helps stop the stress response and return you to your self.

Refocus

If you look at a plant, picture or statue in the room it can help you refocus and push any stress triggers away. This stops the stress response as you refocus and take deep breathes to the count of four as you are gazing into something pleasant.

Chew a piece of gum

Research shows that chewing gum reduces our stress so  put a piece of gum into your mouth and smile.