You just scheduled a bathroom remodel with Capitol Kitchen & Bath when you get a call from your supervisor about a project they need done urgently. You immediately feel stressed out, and situations like this seem to happen more and more often.

That’s why we’re offering 4 tips to help when you’re feeling overwhelmed at work.

Take Regular Breaks

It’s important that you allow yourself breaks when you’re working. Research actually indicates taking breaks will help you to be more productive in the long run. (I know that sounds contradictory, but it’s true!) As humans, we weren’t designed to sit at a desk for 8 hours a day without taking our gaze or minds away from the screen.

Implementing regular breaks into your workday will help prevent you from becoming too overwhelmed. Even if you have a lot to do, you can make some time to get up every few hours or so to relax your body and mind. Consider going for a walk or simply getting some fresh air. Just make sure you give yourself some space to get your mind off of work every once in a while.

Leave Work at Work

If you find yourself checking your phone at the dinner table or when you’re out with friends regularly, it might mean you’ve built an unhealthy relationship with work. A healthy work-life balance is key to not becoming consumed and overwhelmed with what you have going on at the office.

Once you “clock out” for the day, try and limit your phone use. You could even let your colleagues know that you’ll check your email at another time, but otherwise – you’re off limits unless there’s an emergency. Work is a necessary part of life, but make sure that it doesn’t encompass everything for you.

Start Your Morning Right

There’s no better feeling than waking up and having some time to yourself before the day begins. If you find yourself immediately jumping into work when you first get out of bed, you might want to consider waking up a little bit earlier. Starting your morning with some “me time” is key to not getting too overwhelmed with work.

Create a sacred space for a healthy morning routine. This could be gratitude journaling, reading, or meditating. This time spent in the morning will set you on a good path to own your day in a way that’s positive and uplifting. It will also help you to avoid workplace burnout!

Establish Healthy Boundaries

Boundaries are crucial when it comes to your relationship with work. If you don’t establish clear, firm boundaries – you run the risk of being overworked or being taken advantage of. In turn, this will cause you to resent your job and make you feel burnt out and stressed when it comes time to be at the office. Having healthy boundaries helps you avoid running into this risk.

Communicate your boundaries with those you work with. They’re sure to be met with respect and understanding. If they aren’t, it’s probably a sign that it’s not a great place for you to work. As long as you’re being reasonable with your boundaries, they should help keep work stress to a minimum.