work stress isn’t just something that pops up once in a while anymore. It’s baked into the routine for most of us. Whether you’re leading a team from a buzzing office or grinding away solo from your kitchen table, that pressure builds fast.
If you’ve been on the lookout for simple ways to ease your mind during the workday, you’re in luck. These tips are easy to try, surprisingly effective, and totally sustainable. And yes—there’s even a clever tech tool in here that can help clear some of the mental clutter.
Let’s dive into seven low-effort, high-impact ways to feel more in control.
1. Give Your Body (and Brain) a Break
It’s easy to get glued to your chair for hours. But the longer you stay parked, the more your body tenses up and your mind starts to drag.
Try this: every hour or so, stand up, move around, stretch your arms, or take a lap around the room. No fancy routine needed—just move.
Why it helps: Even a little bit of motion gets your blood flowing, helps release feel-good chemicals, and gives your eyes a break from the screen.
Pro tip: Try the Pomodoro method—work for 30 minutes, take 5 to recharge. It’s simple but super effective.
2. Automate Your Social Media Tasks
If social media is part of your job, you know how draining it can be to post manually every day. Always having to think about what to say or when to post? Total mental overload.
Here’s a fix: use a scheduler like Buffer, Later, or Planoly. These tools let you create and schedule posts ahead of time, so you’re not constantly switching gears.
Why it helps: Automating repetitive tasks frees up mental space and keeps you out of that constant “on-call” mode.
Make it better: Set aside one chill afternoon a week to do all your planning. Put on your favorite playlist, make a cup of tea, and treat it like a creative session—not a chore.
3. Start Mornings Without a Screen
How you spend your first few minutes sets the tone for the rest of the day. If your morning starts with checking emails or scrolling social media, it might be time to switch things up.
Instead, try easing into the day with something slower—maybe some quiet time with coffee, a bit of journaling, or a short breathing exercise.
Why it helps: Keeping things calm in the morning helps lower stress hormones and puts you in a more focused headspace for whatever’s next.
4. Create Boundaries with Your Tech
Notifications are relentless. Ping here, buzz there—before you know it, you’re reacting all day instead of actually working.
The fix? Set some ground rules for your devices. Mute non-urgent notifications, use “Do Not Disturb” during deep work, and consider deleting apps that just suck up time.
Why it helps: You’ll feel less scattered, more in control, and less stressed out by all the noise. Protecting your focus is one of the best things you can do for your well-being.
5. Group Similar Tasks Together
If you’re hopping from writing an email to designing a slide to answering a Slack message, your brain is working overtime. All that context-switching wears you out.
Instead, try batching your work. Block time to handle emails, do creative work, or attend meetings—one kind of task at a time.
Why it helps: Focusing on one type of task keeps your brain in the zone and makes the work feel smoother and less overwhelming.
6. Use Sound to Set the Mood
Sound isn’t just background—it can totally shift how you feel. Playing calming music, ambient sounds, or low-key beats can make your workspace feel way more peaceful.
Why it helps: The right audio creates a mental buffer from distractions, helping you stay focused and relaxed at the same time.
Try this: Check out Brain.fm, Noisli, or even YouTube playlists with lo-fi or nature sounds. Headphones make it even better.
7. Wind Down with Intention
Just like mornings matter, how you end your workday matters too. Instead of just shutting your laptop and scrolling until you fall asleep, build a little shutdown routine.
You could recap what you got done, write down tomorrow’s top priorities, and actually log off with a bit of closure. Then, do something that helps you unwind—go for a stroll, flip through a book, or just enjoy some quiet.
Why it helps: This kind of intentional ending tells your brain the workday is over, which helps you relax and sleep better.
Stress is part of the deal when it comes to work—but how you manage it is what makes the difference. Small shifts, like automating tasks, setting digital boundaries, or simply taking five to breathe, can change your whole workday vibe.
You don’t need to overhaul everything at once. Just pick one or two ideas that feel doable, give them a try, and build from there. Even a small dose of calm can make a big difference.
