Looming projects, a snippy co-worker and a client who won't stop complaining. Sound familiar? While a little job stress might help you meet deadlines and even improve job performance, chronic stress related to work can have a much more serious effect on your mind and body, causing sleepless nights, depression and even -- over the long term -- increased risk for heart disease and higher cholesterol, research has shown.


"Chronic job strain can put both your physical and emotional health at risk," says Paul J. Rosch, MD, the president of the American Institute of Stress.


One key to having a more balanced and healthy relationship with work is to have a more positive attitude toward stress-causing tasks and events, research has shown. In other words, stop stressing about the stress. While you can't do much to change the things out of your control -- like clients -- you can change the way you react toward them over time. Meanwhile, there are ways to de-stress on the spot during your lunch break.


Here are some quick tips to de-stress during your lunch break:





  • Peel An Orange


    Citrus aromas can curb stress and anxiety, as well as help with digestion and nausea, says <a href="http://www.prevention.com/health/emotional-health/scent-citrus-shown-reduce-stress#ixzz2NeCzO1Uz" target="_blank">Prevention magazine</a>.




  • Read A Book For Six Minutes


    Research has shown that <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5070874/Reading-can-help-reduce-stress.html" target="_blank">reading even for six minutes</a> can lower levels of stress.




  • Eat An Avocado


    Avocados have been shown to lower blood pressure, research shows. <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/health-fitness/advice/reduce-stress-foods" target="_blank">Other foods to help chill you out</a> include salmon, almonds and spinach.




  • Walk To Some Green Space


    A short walk in the park helps lower stress and allows the brain to recover from tension, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904199404576538260326965724.html?mod=djemLifeStyle_h" target="_blank">research shows</a>.




  • Delegate Some Tasks


    <a href="http://www.mindtools.com/stress/WorkOverload/Delegation.htm" target="_blank">Pass some responsibility off to other people</a> to help lower your stress levels.




  • Try This Easy Yoga Pose


    The easiest yoga pose called Savasana -- or corpse pose -- only requires that you lay on your back and relax with arms at your sides. Do this for 15 minutes to de-stress, <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/1515" target="_blank">Yoga Journal suggests</a>.




  • Practice Zen Meditation


    Find a peaceful place near your office and <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/meditation/HQ01070" target="_blank">focus on your breathing and clear your mind </a>for 10 minutes to bring stress down.




  • Take A Nap


    A power nap of 20 minutes can do wondrous things for stress -- and <a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/031429_power_naps_energy.html" target="_blank">boost memory, cognitive skills, creativity, and energy level, research has shown</a>.




  • Take Your Dog To Work


    Research has shown that workers who take their dogs to work <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/03/30/149684409/take-your-dog-to-the-office-and-stress-less" target="_blank">are less stressed out</a>.




  • Listen To Mozart


    Research has shown that <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15327344" target="_blank">listening to Mozart is more relaxing than listening to new age music</a>. Try listening to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb_jQBgzU-I" target="_blank">Eine Kleine Nachtmusik</a> on your lunch hour.





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