Finding Peace in Your Day Overcoming the Daily Rush

Finding Peace in Your Day â€" Overcoming the Daily Rush With full workloads and long hours spent behind a desk, it’s easy to get stressed. However, rushing your way through tasks will decrease the quality of your work. In addition, stress can seriously damage your health. Start your day right When you wake up in the morning, begin your day with some stretching exercises or a gentle yoga workout to get your body functioning and in harmony with your mind. Afterwards, spend a few minutes meditating. Next, eat your breakfast â€" the most important meal of the day. Excellent healthy options include fresh seasonal fruits (eaten whole, with unsweetened yoghurt, in smoothies, or dozens of other creative ways), whole-wheat or seeded toast, eggs and coffee (with no sugar). If you have a proper breakfast, your energy levels will remain stable through the day until lunchtime, and hunger pangs won’t distract you from your work. Try your best to leave the house calm and centred, so you will feel less stressed during your commute! Plan and organise Prioritise your workload and manage your time wisely, using to-do lists if they help you. Calmly think through your day, and revisit the plans you have made â€" removing anything inessential. Be realistic about how long each task will take you to complete and allow a little extra time. Try to get your smaller necessary tasks â€" such as replying emails or making phone calls â€" completed early in the day. That way, these smaller tasks won’t nag at the back of your mind while you work on more important projects. Don’t take on too much Learn how to say no. Excuse yourself from meetings that won’t benefit you or where your presence is not strictly necessary. Decline tasks if you are cannot dedicate the time necessary to complete them effectively. Make sure that everything you do receives your full attention and your best work so you can feel satisfied with jobs well done. Don’t get distracted Put your phone away while working â€" it’s amazing how much time can suddenly ‘disappear’ checking social media. Make your work area comfortable and peaceful. Place a plant on your desk. Use an ergonomic keyboard and mouse that will put less strain on your wrists and neck. If possible, have different seating options to work from, or at least get up and stretch or walk around at regular intervals. Taking breaks to move around can help you to stay focused and inspired and get your tasks done better and faster. Keep moving even when you’re seated Sitting still behind a desk for hours on end has negative health implications, and also reduces productivity and creativity. Keep yourself focused by doing seated exercises like glute squeezes or leg raises. Other options include saddle seats or rocking footrests.  Lunch Avoid the canteen and the fast food joints. Prepare yourself a healthy sandwich or cooked meal the night before. If the weather is good, you could walk to a peaceful spot in a local park, beach, or other natural space and enjoy your lunch out in the fresh air. Surrounding yourself with greenery can re-energise and revitalise you for the afternoon ahead. Mentally revise your plan for the day and ensure everything is going to schedule.   Make any necessary adjustments so that by the end of the day you feel satisfied with your progress. After work Make time for physical activity during your free time, such gym workouts or a game of squash. If you must take work home with you, ensure you stop working at least a couple of hours before bedtime. Use the time just before bedtime to organise your things for tomorrow. Lay out your clothes and make your lunch â€" then read, take a bath, or practise a hobby. Wind down. Go to bed at a reasonable time in a dark, well-ventilated room to ensure a good night’s rest. Whenever she can, Johanna begins her day with some quiet meditation time outside in nature â€" which gives her much-needed peace and clarity to get her through the day. Explore more of Johanna’s published work here.