8 Ways to Get Through a Stress-Filled Week

We all have those times when we have a crazy week at work, and sometimes we can allow other’s stress affect us and cause us to stress out or worse lash out. Here are a few ways to make it through a stressful week with ease.

1. Take deep breaths and time outs. When in the midst of a very hectic day, it’s hard to remember to just breathe and take a time out. No matter how busy you are, taking breaks are important. Even if it’s a short walk around the building or a five-minute time out in the bathroom, taking breaks is one of the best ways to beat the stress. Also, in-between breaks it’s important to take deep breaths. Boss throws another big task on your already-full plate? Take a deep breath. Coworker snaps at you? Take a deep breath. Irritating email arrives in your in-box? Take a deep breath. Deep breaths are small things that can make a big difference in a stressful situation. 
2. Bond with the people around you. Annoying as your week may be, one of the best things you can do is bond with a few coworkers who are in the same boat as you. It is always fun to take a few moments of time out and just crack jokes or commiserate on your situation while you try to get things done. It is a great way to turn a negative situation in to a fun time.
3. Do something nice for someone. With stress seeping into your every pore, one of the last things you’re probably thinking about is doing something nice for someone else. Most likely, you’re probably thinking, “Someone should be doing something nice for me!” However, I’ve found that doing something nice for someone else — and it can be something as small as asking someone how their doing and just having a little chit-chat can help you to feel much more positive. Take a moment to do something nice and you’ll feel a rush of positive energy!
4. Do one thing at a time. It can be hard when you have several things on your to-do-list to not try to get them all done at once. Try focusing on what needs to be done first. Doing one thing at a time really helps to relieve the panicky “omg-so-much-to-do!!!” feeling that often comes with doing multiple tasks at the same time. 
5. Ask for help. This is not easy for those do-it-myself kinda gals like me, but asking for help is one of the best ways to relieve stress. It’s also not always an easy thing to do when everyone else around you is in a similar stressful situation, but it’s an important way to eliminate some of the negativity in a stressful situation. If you and your colleagues are all stressed out, think about whom is the best at certain tasks and try to give the work to the most effective out of your team. You may want to also ask those outside of work such as — friends, family members — if there’s a way they can pitch in at home so you’re not worried about home-related tasks at work. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re the type to pitch in for others when they need help you will find that people will be more willing to assist than you might think!
6. Treat yourself. When you’re having a stressful week, treat yourself to something nice. It doesn’t have to be big, but make it good. Reward yourself for all of your hard work. Eat a delicious treat. Buy yourself a new outfit. Go for a long, relaxing walk. Take a day off the following week. Whatever treat would help lift your spirits — and remind you that the world isn’t always a stress-filled place — give it to yourself. Go on, you deserve it. Don’t ever be afraid to treat yourself. 
7. Don’t worry about the what-ifs. Focus on the now. You may be wondering why would I want to focus on the now when it’s the present moment that’s stressing me out. Actually, it is not really the present moments that stressful it is worrying about the future – what if I don’t get this done in time? What if I get in trouble for messing something up? That stuff causes stress.  Don’t worry about the “what-ifs.” Focus on the task you have to accomplish (one at a time!) and have faith that it will work out the way it’s supposed to. Don’t worry about what didn’t go right in the past. Focus on what you can do to make things right this time. Living in the now is one of the greatest stress relievers — even if the now you’re living in might seem to suck. 
8. Be grateful for what’s good. When surrounded by stress, a lot of things — even the good things — can turn sour. When your mind is clouded with stress, a gray film of discontent can cover every aspect of your life. Don’t let that happen to you. Focus on the things that are going right — both inside and outside of the stressful situation. If you can, take a moment or two and actually write these things down. Seeing the good things listed out in writing can really help you keep things in perspective.

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