September 2011
Unless your job involves saving the world and getting paid millions of pesos, literally, then you’re just like the rest of us corporate peons – perpetually battling stress at work. A lot of us dread having to wake up in the morning and going to work for various reasons: mean boss, low pay, boring officemates, small cube space, no sugar in the pantry, no Facebook and Twitter access during work hours and a host of other things. But before you hire a hitman to ‘accidentally’ maim your boss or stage a one-man rally by walking around the office with a huge placard that says ‘I want sugar in my coffee!’ try the following tips and you’ll be surprised at how much happier you’ll get each day!
1. Take short breaks. Some companies encourage their employees to take 5 to 10-minute break each in the morning and afternoon, aside from the standard one-hour lunch. Use this to shake off your legs, clear your head, generate more awesome ideas while having a steaming mug of pantry coffee, or simply to get yourself some comfort food depending on how crazy things are at work.
2. Organize your files. It’s always a good idea to do a regular check on your files and TO DO list. This will keep you on your toes when it comes to projects and deadlines. People who are productive are less likely to be unhappy and dissatisfied at work.
3. Have lunch with friends but don’t overdo it. Sharing the same office space and breaks can get a little too claustrophobic so why not schedule a nice lunch with friends outside of work for a relaxing catch-up but be mindful of the one-hour window. Getting sms or calls from your Boss or colleagues wondering where you might be at 3 o’clock when you should be clocking-in more productive man hours is not exactly the dessert you relish.
4. Saying ‘No’ once in a while is not a crime. Another reason why we are sometimes up to the elbows with work is because we tend to be too accommodating when it comes to small requests or favors asked of us by our colleagues. Remember, you have your own deliverables and only after you’re done with those should you play nice and assist others. Taking on too many things with so little time to work with is going to sap you of your energy – and happiness.
5. Avoid office gossips and don’t be the source either. Let’s face it: the office is a cesspool of intrigues and malicious gossips and however fun and entertaining it might be to malign others behind their backs, there is too much stress to be had here – especially if you find yourself the target one day. So the next time you hear your colleagues having a whale of a time slandering other people, avoid giving your comments or fanning the fire.
***For more of the active and fit lifestyle, grab a copy of this month’s TOTAL FITNESS magazine!
Living Life Supersized 
The recommendations you discussed here are incredibly valuable. It was such a pleasurable surprise to have that awaiting me when I woke up this very day. They are generally to the point and simple to interpret. Warm regards for the thoughtful ideas you have shared in this article.