How To Beat Stress in Your Home Office

Stress is known as a "silent killer" and can wreak havoc on your body as well as your personal life.  Here are a few ideas to help beat the stress in your home office:

• Exercise - Helps to release pent-up energy and anxiety.  This doesn't have to mean a daily trip to the gym.  You can take a brisk walk in your neighborhood or even dance to your favorite music for 20 minutes.  Anything that is fun and gets your heart rate up.
• Breathe - Deep breathing has been proven to slow down or even stop the onset of stress.  Breathing properly helps get oxygen to your cells and slow your heart rate.
• Easy breathing instructions:
• Take a deep breath in through your nose (mouth closed)
• Let your stomach expand like it's a balloon filling with air
• Hold your breath for 3 seconds
• Exhale slowly through your mouth as you flatten your stomach
• Do this 5-10 times when you feel stress coming on.
• Take a break - When you feel your stress level rising, just get up a take a break for a few minutes.  Go outside and breathe in some fresh air, make a cup of tea, or even read a couple of chapters in a good book.  This will help you feel refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of your day.
• Stop the caffeine - You don't have to go cold turkey, but caffeine can really raise your stress levels.  Maybe substitute a nice, herbal tea for that afternoon coffee.

Life in general can be stressful.  Make sure you take a little time to look after yourself and recharge your batteries.  This will help you get on the path to stress-free living!