The workplace is a magnet for high stress and anxiety . You've probably come home after a bad day filled with frustration and annoyance from the day's events, as I have. Whether it's a missed deadline, a conflict of interest, an argument that divides the office, or an unhappy customer , stress is a natural part of work.
Stress can also have a negative impact on our bodies if you don't manage it. The next morning, when you wake up, you might find yourself worrying about everything that happened the day before and everything you need to do to rectify it. This is the wrong way to start your day.
Start your day right Did you know that we release the most stress hormones just minutes after waking up? According to research published in Life Sciences , this happens because thinking about the day ahead triggers our fight-or-flight instinct, causing cortisol to be released into our blood. Instead of caving to morning stress, here's a better and simpler approach, backed by science: When you wake up, spend two or three minutes sitting in bed simply noticing your breath. As anxious thoughts about the day come up, let them go and refocus on your breathing.
That's the technique many of us are already familiar with, but it's worth refreshing. It's mindfulness . Rather than letting our minds race, experts advise us to take deep, slow breaths and feel the sensation of the air entering and leaving our lungs.
Notice the sights and sounds around you--the birds chirping outside your window, the s.
