Much of adult stress tends to stem from the place they spend the most time at – work. No matter what field you’re in or where you’re employed, stress on the job is pretty much inevitable. Whether you’ve got a big report to finish for a deadline or a major pitch to present in front of many people, there are ways to ease your anxiety in the meantime.

Here are nine tips for balancing yourself when you’re at the office.

1. Listen to calming music

Whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed, put on your headphones, and turn on meditation music. It may sound silly, but the breathy notes of a pan flute or the soft taps of a piano chord instantly slow your heart rate. A relaxing playlist can also do the trick.

2. Snack on stress-reducing foods

Certain foods are great for de-stressing, including avocado, oatmeal, almonds, and oranges. Snack on a few throughout the day, particularly when you need a break.

3. Go for a walk

If you feel like you’re on the verge of screaming, let your boss know you need to go on a 10-minute walk to clear your head. Even if you can’t leave the building, just getting away from your desk is beneficial. And make a conscious effort not to think about your impending tasks during your walk.

4. Take a YouTube break

Rather than scrolling through Facebook or Twitter to take your mind off your troubles, take five to watch a funny YouTube video from a favourite channel. You will feel a lot better than if you were to browse through all your friends’ perfect vacation pictures on Instagram.

5. Visualise

When you just want to cry from the pressure, meditate. Close your eyes for 30 seconds and pretend you’re in a calm place, which could be a field of flowers, the ocean, or even your room. Focus on the sights and sounds of this place, and work on slowing your breathing. If you need more help, check out this guide.

6. Drink hot tea

It’s been proven that green tea reduces stress, and just having a hot drink in your hands will calm you down. Plus, it has a lot less caffeine than coffee, so you won’t experience any jittery side effects.

7. Keep a stress ball handy

You can keep two stress balls on your desk for those moments when you really need to squeeze something and get out nervous energy before the stress manifests itself another. Luckily, they’re pretty cheap and they don’t take up much space.

8. Call a friend

If you’re having a particularly rough day, consider stepping out of the office and giving a close friend or family member a call. Sometimes you simply need to hear the voice of a loved one to know it’s going to be okay.

9. Give yourself a massage

Throughout the day, dab a little peppermint oil on the tips of your fingertips and massage your temples. It’s an instant pain relief for any head tension you are feeling, and the smell of the oil provides just the concentration boost you need.

Culled from www.glassdoor.com