How Do I Relax So I Can Concentrate at Work?

I currently have external factors distracting me right now, so I am trying really hard to focus the best I can while I’m at work, but even while I’m working, I’m just ridden with anxiety the past couple of days.. So I wanted to know, how can I just RELAX while I’m at work. I can’t take the usual “take a bath” or “meditate” suggestions, obviously.

The following answers I found (in order of how helpful i think they’ll be) come from hard@work.com, wikihow.com, lifehacker.com, eHow.com and About.com

• Listen to some music - This is doable. Throw on the headphone and listen to iTunes.

• Breathe – Inhale deeply, counting to five, then exhale slowly, counting to five. Do this ten times.

• Rearrange your workspace - If it works within your company policies, light some aromatherapy candles, put out some photos, rid your office/cubicle of ALL JUNK AND CLUTTER (i could use this), and even a water fountain.

• Bribe Yourself – Promise yourself that as soon as you finish a certain task, you’ll get a reward–anything from a cup of coffee to the most glamorous prize you can afford. Then make sure you get it when you complete the job.

• Log your distractions – If you find that your thoughts are wandering more often thanyou’d like, keep a record of where your attention is drifting. Study this log todiscover what’s really making you lose your concentration–and do something toeliminate the distraction.. (if I could eliminate the distraction, wouldn’t I?)

• Exercise - If I had a gym nearby, this would probably be helpful, but maybe it will be helpful for someone else: On your lunch break, hit the gym for at least twenty minutes (or more, if you like) of moderate activity, like walking or bike-riding, is the best known, scientifically proven way to significantly reduce stress. If you don’t have a gym, go for a walk. If you live near a park with a fountain, or near a beach or lake, the calming sound of water will soothe you. Just a regular walk will also relax you. I do work next to the ocean, so there’s an idea,

• Eat Healthy - Sugar and caffeine are your enemies, as they both cause severe ups and downs, upsetting your body’s ability to regulate energy. Instead of sugary, carbohydrate loaded snacks (like cookies or granola bars), eat fresh fruits and whole grain breads or crackers (sugar-free). Make sure you get plenty of low-calorie protein, like that found in chicken, fish, whole grains, beans, dark leafy vegetables, or low-fat dairy.

• Make a list - If this was the sort of thing that would help my current situation, I’ll probably do it, but again, maybe it’ll help someone else. Make a list of tasks you must accomplish that day. Put the most important things at the top and list every task in descending order of importance. Learn to be proactive and take care of things before they become a problem, then your time will be more productive and you will feel less stress.

About.com has an article on “How to Relax at Your Desk“, and “How to Reduce Tension with Progresssive Muscle Relaxation” but I’m stressed just reading all of the steps.

Also, apparently many work places have made “de-stress rooms” where people can relax or take a nap and get away from everything, and some places have incorporated a type of “recess” where employees go out and play volleyball or something like that. Man I could use that today.