Stress: Just like my second girlfriend

I am not sure if this will really work for you.

Stress is like a very bad girlfriend. She will affect you physically, emotionally, mentally and even financially.

Overall stress does not let you live to your maximum abilities. It holds you back. It reduces your productivity and forces you to be mediocre in everything that you do. In extreme moments I would imagine it feels somewhat like a flash grenade has gone off next to you. All your senses are compromised and your thinking is highly impaired.

I have a few experiences on how stress has affected my performances from a routine task in the office to one specific important interview. But I shall focus more on how it affects you physically.

Stress is mostly caused by work/studies or relationship. Mine was all work. Well almost all.
Whenever I was stressed, my muscles would tense up. We hold a lot of our stress tension in our back, neck, and shoulders and if not relieved, it can cause significant pain and tenderness.

Since I had a pre existing back condition, for some reason, few stressful hours would give me much more pain than many routine days put together. I am sure it has to do with something more than just stiffness in the muscles. May be something hormonal but I am not sure.

The two things that helped me deal with stress were having fun at work and regular yoga/ back exercises when I reached home. Fortunately I was working in advertising. Even though the hours are really long, you do have access to a lot of fun things in an agency. Most ( good :) ) seniors believe in getting good work done. Rest is mostly not important.

This might work for you. Or maybe you fancy a few drinks at the end of the day? Do the thing that makes you relax. But do pair this with some back exercises.

-Out

Sitting at one place endlessly

If you are that person who sits at one place for hours together mostly staring at a computer then your back is not a happy camper.

The problem with sitting at one place is that as your body and mind get tired  forcing your back to form a curve. It is natural for a back to do that. It is trying to get in a position where it does not have to spend a lot of energy trying to support your body. Your back has a natural shape which helps you walk, run and have fun in bed. But if you put such pressures on it for long periods of time it will start complaining.

Here are a few things you can do to take care of your back while at work:

1. Exercise: I love this exercise. It helps me avoid the back pain. 
1. Sit up straight on your chair with your legs forming a 90 degree angle with the ground. Sit at the edge of your chair.
2. Slide your right leg ahead so that the toe faces the ceiling. 
3. Now, keeping your back straight, lean forward. Notice that you feel pressure on your right leg. 
4. Lean for only about 10-15 degrees and hold for 10 secs.
5. Repeat the same for your other leg. 
6. Do this exercise 5 times for each leg.
2. Walk: Take breaks every 45 mins and walk around a bit. A good thing to do is have a glass of water in these breaks.
3. Stretch: Do a good ol' fashion stretch at your desk.

These simple things help me and I am sure they will help you during your hard working days too.

-Out