“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one word over another.” Three out of every four Americans suffer from work-related stress. It’s no secret it’s a silent killer. Stress is becoming a health epidemic. By the World Health Organization and is estimated to cost American businesses up to $300 billion a year. Stress not only affects companies, but it’s detrimental to your health.

Here are five ways to reduce stress at work:

1. Foods and Drinks what you consume during work can aggravate stress levels. Here are some foods and drinks to avoid that can trigger stress. 

• Coffee
• Tea
• Energy Drinks
• Fast Food
• Sugars
• Alcohol  

         Take a closer look at what you're eating at work. Stay away from the co-worker that brings donuts! Here is a list of foods you can eat and drink that can help reduced stress.

• Water
• Fresh fruits
• Soups
• Salads
• Fish

I’m not saying to eliminate all the good stuff. Just try and eat in moderation. 

2. Breathing Exercises We take breathing for granted. Check your breathing patterns when you're stressing out While at your lunch break go to your car and slowly take ten deep breaths. This exercise takes 1-2 minutes. Do you have two minutes? Add this exercise to your daily life. One in the morning, another in lunch and one before you go to sleep. Remember when people meditate breathing is one of the key ingredients. Try it out it helps. 

3. Exercise.Increase your heart rate. You only need a few minutes every day to start. Take a 10-15 walk during your lunch break. Organized a walk with some of your co-workers. Skip El Torito and bring your food.  Remember baby steps.   How long will it take you to prepare your food? How much money do you spend during lunch hour? More money in bank account and less stress it’s a win, win. You need to beat stress to the punch. Hit first before it hits you.  Try it out it helps.

4. Company politics sometimes we get caught in gossip or co-worker problems. Listening to problems from someone else causes stress. Take it from someone who had 25 jobs in 20 years. I was always the shoulder to cry on, at the end I was crying. Remember Misery love’s company.  “Flock of a feather fly together” Less Brown. Everything we listen to affects our mood. Before you help someone else help yourself. 

5. Recording Eye’s:  What are your eye’s watching?. What you see is what you feel.  When I was a kid, I used to love watching horror movies like Halloween, Friday The 13^th and Nightmare on Elm Street.  During that time not knowingly I was causing myself the stress. People wonder why we get scared when were alone. Take inventory of your daily activities. You may be doing things that are causing you stress unknowingly. For example what’s on the news these days, anything positive? Everything our eyes records get’s stored in our subconscious minds and pop’s up later as a thought. 

We need to work on our stress levels before they creep up on us. Stop waiting for it to arrive. Stress causes strokes and numerous illnesses worldwide. Stay strong and keep the faith. You are not alone. Following these steps will help you live a better life. Follow your dreams, believe in yourself and never give up. Joe Rodriguez who authored 25 To A Happy Life is a Life Coach/Speaker. From being homeless to suffering a nervous breakdown to working 25+ jobs in 20 years searching for happiness, fighting stress along the way. He never gave up.  www.joerodriguez.co

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