How to Survive a Bad Day at Work
We've all had them, in fact sometimes they start long before you're anywhere near your place of work. Maybe the alarm didn't go off or maybe you hit the snooze too many times. Maybe, like our friend and newsperson Beth Warden did this morning, you hit a deer on the way to work. There are a myriad of reasons why a perfectly ordinary day can become a very bad one.
In fact odds are already against you when it comes to your job. A recent Gallup poll found that only 31.5% of employees surveyed were enthusiastic, involved in, or committed to their jobs. That means fully 51% of people who participated in this survey hate their jobs from the get-go! So if you are having a bad day on top of disliking your job, you're in a world of hurt.
But there are ways you can combat having your attitude go completely south before you snap and say something you'll regret.
- Laugh: Laughter boosts your immune system, triggers the release of feel-good endorphins and protects your heart by improving the function of blood vessels and blood flow. Plus humor can help you to survive through disappointments and loss. (Believe me when I tell you, I have plenty of experience with this!).
- Get Away: Just take a break and clear your head. If you can take a short walk or get outside, even better. Sunshine, has been shown in multiple studies, to boost mood and productivity. At the very least get up from your cube, stretch, take a bathroom break and breathe.
- Listen to Music: Studies indicate it can reduce pain, relieve depression and improve the quality of your sleep. Another study showed that music can produce the same burst of happiness you get from eating chocolate, having sex or taking certain drugs. So if you can, add some music to your day. If it is not allowed at work, take that break in your car and listen to some tunes there.
Hopefully these suggestions will help the next time you have a rotten day at work. For more info on ways you can ease stress at work click here, here, or here and remember, all bad days eventually end!