Daily Work Challenges

October 19, 18

The daily grind is a tough gig! But no matter where you work and how you get there, there are ways to take the hassle out of your daily hustle.

Work stress 1: Daily Commute

Did you know that the average Australian spends 70 minutes commuting to and from work each day? If you take public transport in Sydney, it's even worse as the average one-way commute is 62 minutes. Every minute added to your commute affects anxiety, happiness and wellbeing. Long-distance commuters with bags and cases suffer higher rates of health problems, from headache and backache to increased blood pressure, poor sleep and increased risk of depression, anxiety and social isolation. Then there's the sardine effect, squeezing into overcrowded trains or buses and that's not our biggest gripe. Australians' pet on public transport peeves are germ sharers, loud talkers and seat hoggers.

Work stress 2: Tech troubles

Commuting doesn't just take a toll on your body, it can take a toll on the tech you carry with you too. Mobile phones, tablets and laptops are among the most commonly left items on planes, trains, buses and in taxis. If you don't lose it, you could damage it: W8 Solutions found that 38% of phones break by being dropped and 15% by falling off a lap. While the risk of both those increase on a crowded commute when you're in a rush, being jostled and carrying too many things at once. Protect your ipad with one of our resilient tablet cases.

Work stress 3: Office musical chairs & overtime

By the time you've made it to work, the stress doesn't end it just changes. If you're a hot desk worker, you'll spend time carrying your gear in search of a free desk and setting it up before you can start work. Hotdesking takes a toll on wellbeing as well, when you don't know your co-workers and you don't 'own' your own space. You're probably working late too. The Australia Institute's Centre for Future Work Survey found full-time workers on average do more than five hours a week in unpaid overtime.

Stress-busting Solutions: The 4 P's

Use the 4 P's to beat the daily grind: Prioritise, Plan, Protect and Personalise.

PRIORITISE - exercise, nutrition and sleep

Like the safety announcements on planes tell us, fit your own oxygen mask first before helping others. If you don't look after yourself, you won't be able you look after customers, clients and relationships.

Exercise

Aim for 30 minutes every day.
Working out in your lunch break boosts mood, re-energises you and means more family time at home.
Add incidental exercise. Get off the bus a stop early and walk, schedule walking meetings, take the stairs instead of the lift.

Eat well

Don't cave into cravings for salty, sugary and fatty foods (4pm chocolate bar anyone?) They'll leave you feeling blah afterwards.
Eat a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fruit, vegies, lean protein and complex carbs.
Foods with brain-boosting omega-3 like salmon boost concentration.
Keep a water bottle in your bag and on your desk.

Sleep

Aim for 8 hours a night.
Switch off your screens an hour before bed.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol for quality zzzzz's.

PLAN - to make the most of your commute

Use a meditation or mindfulness App. Try Headspace, Calm or Insight Timer and zone out on the train, bus, or practice deep breathing in your car
Catch up on a podcast.
Listen to music for relaxation.
Read. Deep reading has similar benefits to meditation.
Breathe - Deeply and slowly to reduce tension and anxiety.

PROTECT - your tech while commuting

Keep your tech in a sturdy protective bag. A quality backpack like our 15.6" Grid Essentials Backpack will protect shoulders, back and neck areas as well.
Use Apps like Find My iPhone or MobileMe to help track lost tech.
Don't leave your phone or tablet on your lap. Remember to protect with our shock absorbing Pro-Tek 9-10.1'' Rotating Tablet Case.
Back up devices regularly.

PERSONALISE - your desk for wellbeing

If you're hotdesking, slip photos in your laptop bag like the 15.6" CityLite Pro Laptop Bag or pack a small, lightweight trinket, stress ball or healthy snack jar.
Make your screensaver a favourite place or person.
Store personal items in office lockers so you don't have to bring them every day.
Adjust your chair to suit you for maximise comfort and good posture.