Whether it’s long hours, grueling tasks or just the repetitive nature of a day-to-day routine, work can sometimes be something we have to do rather than something we want to do. But given that the average person will spend 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime, it makes sense to try and enjoy it if you can. So what can you do to be happier at work and reduce stress?
Be active. Exercise and other physical activities won’t make your problems or stress disappear, but they will reduce their emotional intensity and give you mental space to sort out problems – as well as keep you physically fit.
Connect with people. Most happiness scales put relationships with others near the top of the list. The more you invest in your relationships at work, the more enjoyable you may find your day, and helping work colleagues can also give you a sense of satisfaction, which is essential to your wellbeing and contentment.
Learn new skills. Keeping cognitively active is critical to psychological and mental wellbeing and can enhance your career development. So take a course, develop some new skills or learn a new hobby.
Recognize the positives. Accept there are things at work or in life you can’t change and concentrate on the things you have control over. Remind yourself to feel grateful for the good things in your life.
Work smarter, not longer. Prioritize your workload during working hours so that you have more disposable time to do the things you enjoy. Accept that your inbox will always be full, so concentrate on the important things first.
The more you take control of your work life and get the balance you need, the more likely you will be happier at work.