A lonely, stressful work environment could raise your risk of diabetes even if you're otherwise healthy, according to a new study.


Researchers from Tel Aviv University, the University of Haifa and Tel Aviv Yaffo Academic College found that low social support coupled with high work stress are predictors of diabetes development. Interestingly, researchers found that being both over- and under-loaded with work duties was also tied with diabetes risk.


The study, published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, took place over three-and-a-half years and included 5,843 people in Tel Aviv with an average age of 48. At the start of the study, none of the participants had diabetes. The researchers also surveyed all the participants about their job stress levels, social support, workload and feelings of control in the workplace.


By the end of the study, 182 people had developed diabetes. Researchers found that having a strong social support system was linked with a 22 percent lower diabetes risk, and being under- or over-worked was linked with an 18 percent higher diabetes risk. These results held true even after taking into account body mass index, age, family history of the disease and physical activity levels.


Work stress isn't just linked with diabetes risk -- past studies have connected it with increased risk of heart attack, as well as shorter telomeres, which could speed up aging. And unfortunately, it's quite ubiquitous -- a recent survey showed that eight out of 10 people who are employed in the U.S. say they're stressed by at least one aspect of their jobs.


Need some tips for calming down at work? Click through the slideshow for tips to de-stress at your desk:





  • Take A Two-Minute Mini Vacation


    Choose one of your favorite vacation memories and relive it -- all while skipping the airfare! "Every single one of us has memories from our favorite places. You can relive the best moment of your life to feel like you did when you were there," Wortmann says. Why it works: It helps you recognize you have a choice in how you feel in a stressful moment.




  • Surf Around On A Zen-Friendly Website


    It might seem counterintuitive to find solace on your screen (<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/28/national-day-of-unplugging-2013_n_2760114.html">because unplugging <em>is</em> important)</a>, but you can do exactly that with the many centering sites out there. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/30/positive-thinking-the-10-_n_2582102.html">Here are 10 of our favorite URLs that inspire us</a>.




  • Download A De-Stressing App


    Your smartphone might be partly to blame for the stress you're feeling (hello, non-stop emails and phantom vibes), but it's also a great resource for de-stressing tools. Try a couple of <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/02/de-stressing-apps-10-ipho_n_2397200.html">our favorite de-stressing apps</a>, and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gps-for-the-soul/id586099254?ls=1&mt=8">download the GPS for the Soul app here</a>.




  • Keep Essential Oils At Your Desk


    Essential oils will do more than mimic an escape to the spa: A whiff or two could actually help you relax. Aromatherapy has been <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19571632">shown to decrease stress levels</a>, so shop around for a scent you fancy and get sniffing.




  • Swivel


    Since stress is <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/182980-what-can-make-you-feel-extremely-tired-sleepy-all-of-the-time/"> physically exhausting,</a> you might benefit from a little movement for an instant energy lift. An action as small as swiveling in your chair with a couple of deep breaths can help you get back to business, <a href="http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/2008/10/how-to-destress-at-your-desk-instantly#slide=3">Glamour reports</a>.




  • Bounce It Out


    If your employer allows it, you might consider swapping your desk chair for something a little more fun. While there is <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/290341-the-benefits-of-using-a-stability-ball-as-a-chair/">yet to be conclusive research </a>that a stability ball improves posture, the ball <em>does</em> allow more room for fidgeting -- which can wake you up and help get you back into the zone.




  • Handwrite Your To-Do List


    Think of your handwritten to-do list as a sacred document, kept away from distractions of the inter-webs. You'll know exactly where to find it when you need to refer back to it since it won't be lost among the many open tabs of your browser. Plus, the act of physically writing down your tasks<a href="http://lifehacker.com/5738093/why-you-learn-more-effectively-by-writing-than-typing"> may help you organize your thoughts and remember them more clearly,</a> which, in turn, will help you to be more focused and less stressed. Fear you'll forget your to-dos on your desk one rushed night? Make a point to snap a photo with your phone at the end of each day.




  • Snack On An Orange


    Your co-workers will think you're just craving a juicy mid-day snack, but besides satisfying tummy grumbles, you'll be reaping the benefits of the stress-relieving powers of citrus. <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11862365">A 2002 study</a> found that a dose of vitamin C helped people bounce back more easily from a stressful situation.




  • Take A Screen Break


    You'll have to get up for this one, but it will be worth your while: Just a five-minute break from your desk will have <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110208131529.htm">you returning refocused</a> and a little less anxious. Plus, <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eyestrain/DS01084">your eyes</a> will appreciate the rest.




  • Try A Breathing Exercise


    <a href="http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-management-breathing-exercises-for-relaxation">WebMD cites deep breathing</a> as one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. That's good news, since it's an exercise you can perform anywhere, sans candles or gongs. Try out a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/19/dan-goleman-gps-guide-relaxation-techniques_n_2712260.html">few of</a> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/johnroger/breathing-exercise-_b_2247713.html">these</a> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-magone/stress-meditation-_b_1671435.html">techniques</a> to see which you like best.




  • Turn On The Tunes


    According to <a href="http://www.samfak.gu.se/Faculty+of+Social+science/News/News/News_Detail//everyday-music-listening-reduces-stress.cid1066914">a 2012 study</a>, listening to music every day can help keep your stress in check. The (not-so-hard-to-fulfill) catch: You have to listen to music that you actually like. Check out our <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/mindfulliving/playlist/3IGicJWDNRy8aNe2TZEmvE">mood-boosting playlist here</a> for some inspiration.




  • Related Video: Natural Ways To Boost Moods







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