Being on the front line is stressful: Relieve your stress and stay healthy
Start Your Day off Right
Gulping down coffee in lieu of something healthy, scrolling through your COVID-19 Facebook thread, listening to the negative filled news on the way into the store/plant has many of our UFCW 227 members coming into work already stressed, and more reactive to stress at work. In fact, you may be surprised by how much more reactive to stress you are when you have a stressful morning. If you start off the day with good nutrition, proper planning, and a positive attitude, you may find the stress of the workplace at least for a little while easier to manage..
Walk at Lunch
Many of our members are feeling ill effects from this pandemic lifestyle. One way you can combat that, and manage stress at work at the same time, is to get some distance during your breaks and lunch. This can help you blow off steam, lift your mood, and get into a better mind set to finish the shift.
Listen to Music on the Drive Home
Listening to music brings many benefits and can offer an effective way to relieve stress after work. Combating the stress of a long day at work with your favorite music on the drive home can make you less stressed when you get home, and more prepared to interact with the people in your life.
Here is a list of recommended Stress Relief Activities that can be done when you get home or some of them at work.
1. Healthy diet- Keeping your body properly hydrated and eating right put the body into the right place to perform the difficult tasks that your jobs demand
2. Stretching- Stretches can be done at a red light in your car or during work breaks or lunches
3. Weightlifting- not really something you can do at work but a great stress reliever to be done at home. For those working parents out there a good kid lift fills this recommendation and gets that bonding time with the family.
4. A good night's sleep- For 7-9 hours a night you should try to let the worries of the world go and refuel your body for the next day. Your brain needs to hit the reset button each night to cope with the new day.
5. Reading- take a book to work and read it! Let your mind go to a different place where the stresses of this world have become too much right now.
6. Writing- write a letter to a family member you can’t physically be near right now. They will appreciate the thought and you can distract your mind from the daily grind
7. Stress balls- these can be kept in your pocket and squeezed on when certain stressors push on you too hard
8. Water breaks- take time for yourself within the confines of work restrictions, staying hydrated is very important to a healthy body.
9. Strolls- walk away from the workplace during breaks and lunches. You can distance yourself from the building that is causing your stress.
10. Naps- you know that thing you hated to take as a child… take them when you can! Sit in your car for 15 minutes during your break and just close your eyes and relax.
11. Meditation- at home or in your car just sit with some calming music and allow the stress to leave your thoughts.
12. Music- sing it loud and sing it often.
13. Chatting with friends- social distancing doesn’t mean you don’t keep in contact with friends. Make it a point to call or find that way to keep relationships thriving. We are all in this together.
14. Cleaning workstation- I don’t think this can be stressed enough right now. Wash, rinse sanitize!
We are all in this together and we will get through this together. Take care of yourselves and your family. We appreciate all you are doing. Stay safe.