It’s no secret that pharmacy professionals frequently experience a high level of stress associated with their job. Busy schedules, long hours on your feet, and dealing with the public can lead to a widespread feeling of burnout across the industry. On National Stress Awareness Day, relax, take a deep breath, and give these five stress-management tips a try:

 
Don’t Miss Out on a Good Night’s Sleep

Easier said than done, right? When it seems like there aren’t enough hours in the day for the million things we have to do, who hasn’t thought, “I’ll just stay up late and catch up on sleep some other night.” It’s time to make sleep a priority because sleep deprivation can wreak havoc on your physical and mental health. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, you’re more likely to experience fatigue, anxiety and depression, and trouble with thinking and concentration. Give your body the rest it needs and try to get around 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.

Take a Break

I think we can all agree that long lines of customers, a constantly ringing phone, and staring at a screen can be overwhelming for 8 hours straight. While different pharmacies have different policies on the length and frequency of breaks, take advantage of any break time you’re given. Give your brain a break by reading a book, watching a few minutes of your favorite show, or taking a walk around the block. And always be sure to eat something nutritious so you have the energy to make it through the rest of the day.

Give Mindful Meditation a Try

Mindful meditation is all about relaxing your body, focusing on breathing, and taking a moment to be fully present. Sometimes it can seem like stress totally overwhelms us and make us lose sight of what’s important. Mindful meditation can help you relax and focus on what matters. Practicing mindful meditation is easier than ever since there are countless free meditation apps and videos you can access right from your phone.

Find an Outlet for Stress

If you keep all of your stress bottled up, it is going to consistently affect your mood. Relieve the pressure of stress by finding a healthy outlet for your feelings. Talking to co-workers, friends, or family members can help you relax and gain perspective. If you’re a more private person, keeping a journal can be a great way to get the stressful parts of your day out of your system. If you find that stress is starting to affect your work or personal life and you’re having trouble dealing with it, it might help to talk to a counselor.

Get Moving

Exercise seems to be another one of those things that is just too easy to tell ourselves, “I don’t have time for that!” But even 20 minutes of exercise a day can help keep you healthy and reduce your stress. In addition to its importance to your physical health, exercise releases mood-boosting endorphins that can help combat stress. It’s also a great chance to clear your head and get your mind off all the things stressing you out.