13 Activities to Reduce Workplace Stress

Some career choices will naturally consist of having stress involved. Stress can show your passion for a task and proves that you care about its success. Although this can be true, stress, in general, isn’t a pleasant feeling. It can demotivate you, give you the constant feeling of tiredness and start to affect your life outside of work. If stress is unaddressed it can lead to conflict and negative behaviour in the workplace.

What are the ways to reduce stress at workplace? Whether you’re an employer looking for motivational tools or an employee looking for positive ways to de-stress, here are some realistic activities to try in and out of the workplace.

1. Exercise

Proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce stress, exercise releases endorphins around the body which work as natural anti-depressants and make you feel energized. Exercise doesn’t have to be running and burning yourself out if you don’t like it, you can try yoga, core training or other low impact training ideas, they all release the same endorphins and work to give you natural energy. As an employer, you could offer extended lunch breaks for those wanting to work out or a paid gym membership showing that you promote a healthier lifestyle.

2. Socialise

If you’re stressed at work and keep everything bottled up, it’s only going to get worse. Taking a break to socialize with colleagues or friends can make a big difference. Whether it’s chatting over lunch or grabbing a drink after work, these small moments can lighten your mood. You’ll likely find others in the same boat, and talking it out can help take the weight off your shoulders.

Socializing also helps to naturally reduce stress. Laughter and casual conversations release endorphins, which are known to boost your mood and lower stress levels. It’s a great way to clear your mind, shift focus, and return to work feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever’s next.

3. Work communication

Similar to socialising but from a professional point of view, if you are unsure about any tasks, speaking to colleagues will benefit your workday. You may even find out ways to enhance your work rate, face to face contact or team messaging systems like Chanty, Slack or Slack alternatives are great for asking questions that people can get back to you on. Speaking to your manager about any work-related problems will also help, explaining your reasons for being stressed may help them understand the way you perform best.

4. Healthy diet

We should all know by now that dieting isn’t just for losing weight, having a healthy diet and picking your foods right can help reduce stress. It’s worth researching all the foods that help with this but for those who enjoy snacks at work, dark chocolate, pistachios and blueberries are easy to find in stores and are proven you make the work day easier. Employers can offer different fruits for free or if a café is available considering a change of foods offered will help the workplace for everyone.

5. Limit caffeine intake

Many rely on coffee or energy drinks to get through the workday, but too much caffeine can lead to jitteriness, anxiety, and even trouble focusing. While that morning cup of coffee can be a great boost, overindulging throughout the day might be adding to your stress rather than relieving it.

Switching out one or two cups of coffee for herbal tea or simply drinking more water can help maintain energy levels without the caffeine crash. If cutting back feels difficult, gradually reducing intake can make the transition smoother. Finding a balance ensures you stay alert without feeling on edge.

6. Reading

Simple and effective, reading a book reduces stress by taking your concentration away from current work-related issues. Sadly, reading articles on your phone isn’t known to have the same effects, the brain doesn’t relax as much because of the brightness of the screen, but buying a good book doesn’t cost much and keeps you entertained on your breaks.

There are also apps to install on your phone to help relax your mind, different games, puzzles and images that have proven to work, some are paid and others are free to use all depending on the level of detail you want. You can also install apps that give you time limits on certain apps like Facebook so you’re not wasting all your break on social media. It’s great to get into a new hobby and break the habit of constantly being on your phone.

7. Celebrate

A big incentive for employers to use, celebrating different occasions boosts morale in the workplace and bring staff together. Birthdays, sporting events and holidays are all easy to create attention around, asking staff to dress up or bring food in is always a good way to lower workplace stress and keep employees happy with the company’s spirit. As an employee, you can always create events yourself, it doesn’t have to be on a big scale but just enough for people to talk about it and get excited, themed days are always fun.

8. Change of scenery

Staring at the same screen in the same workspace for hours on end can make stress build up without even realizing it. A quick change of scenery – even if it’s just a five-minute walk outside, moving to a different desk, or looking out the window – can refresh the mind and improve focus.

Taking a break away from your usual spot allows you to return with a clearer head. If possible, scheduling breaks throughout the day and stepping outside for fresh air can make a noticeable difference in energy levels and stress management.

9. Walking

Sometimes, the simplest ideas are the most effective. Walking to and from work, or even taking short walking breaks during your day, can do wonders for relieving stress. It gives your mind a break from work, lets you breathe in some fresh air, and helps you return with a clearer perspective on the tasks at hand.

If you’re working remotely, stepping outside for a quick walk can still offer the same benefits. It’s a great way to refresh and reset. You could even invite colleagues for a walk and chat – the relaxed conversation and movement can ease your stress even more, leaving you feeling recharged and ready to tackle the rest of the day.

10. Stretching

Stretching is one of the easiest ways to release tension, especially when you’re feeling stressed. We often carry stress in our muscles, particularly in the shoulders and neck. Taking a few moments throughout the day to stretch can help ease that tension, relieve discomfort, and make you feel more relaxed.

When you stretch, you promote blood flow to the muscles, which helps to release built-up tension and reduce stress. The physical relief from muscle tightness can also improve your emotional well-being, helping you feel calmer and more balanced. So, a simple stretch can be a powerful tool to not only relax your body but also boost your mood and mental clarity.

11. Meetings

Meetings, when done right, can actually bring a sense of calm and structure to the workday. Having a regular catch-up – whether it’s once a week or at the start of each day – helps everyone stay on the same page and feel connected to the bigger picture. It gives you a chance to check in, share updates, and feel like you’re part of a steady rhythm, which can ease the stress of feeling out of the loop.

For many, knowing what’s coming next and having a space to voice questions or ideas can restore a sense of control and clarity. Rather than feeling like things are slipping through the cracks, regular meetings create a natural flow and keep communication smooth. It’s not just productive – it helps people feel grounded and more in sync with the team.

12. Declutter your workspace

A cluttered desk can easily contribute to a cluttered mind. When your workspace is filled with papers, old coffee cups, or random items, it can create a sense of chaos and make it harder to concentrate. Organizing your space, even for just a few minutes each day, can help create a more productive and stress-free environment.

Decluttering doesn’t mean everything needs to be spotless, but having a system in place – like keeping only essential items on your desk and using storage solutions – can make work feel a little lighter. A clean space often leads to a clearer, more focused mind.

13. Music

Music has a soothing power over the brain, music has a unique link to our emotions and can either naturally flow with your day to make you work rate better, or take your mind off current stresses and relaxes the mind and body. Slow classical music is known to be the most effective but it’s not going to be everyone’s top choice. It’s also a good topic to talk about with colleagues, most often your music taste wouldn’t please everyone so finding a variety that pleases everyone is the best idea, or if you just can’t agree you might need to bring your earphones in.

Conclusion

It’s unlikely that every activity will suit your personality or be available for you to try. They are all proven to reduce stress and employers encourage positive activities to keep all the staff happy in the workplace, so even if it’s a small change in the office or going for a run after, you’ll notice a difference!