De-Stress Thursday

1. Take a brisk walk
On your lunch hour, instead of driving to the restaurant or ordering in, pack a lunch and take a brisk walk to your local park. Eat outdoors where you can get some oxygen and sunlight before returning back to the office. If there's no park nearby, head to the nearest restaurant with an outdoor patio.

2. Get your blood flowing
Simple exercise will get the blood flowing to your extremities and to your brain, helping you feel refreshed and rejuvenated. You don't need to work up a heavy sweat. Just close your office door, pull on your yoga pants and get down on the floor for some stretches.

3. Play a game
Take a short break to play a game. This is particularly helpful if you are in the middle of a tedious project. By refocusing your mind on something else for a brief time, you will improve your concentration. Bring a deck of cards to work or play online games.

4. Drink a glass of water
Even something as simple as a tall glass of cold water will help you feel refreshed. If you don't keep bottled water at your desk, take a short break every few hours and enjoy a cool glass of water. Eight glasses of water each day are essential for your health.

5. Get rid of distractions
If you are constantly checking your personal e-mail, Facebook, cell phone messages and other things throughout the day, it means you are losing your focus. Get rid of the distractions and get back on track by taking a break and checking them all at once. After your break is over, forbid yourself to goof off again for the rest of the day.

6. Eat blueberries
Studies show that blueberries have the highest concentration of antioxidants of any type of fruit, and they are brain food. A diet rich in blueberries can improve memory, motor skills and concentration. Additionally, the nutrients in blueberries help relieve high blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure can lead to heart attack and stroke.

7. Get some comic relief
Life shouldn't always be serious - even at work. Take a short break and enjoy something humorous. Read the comics in the newspaper, visit the TheOnion.com for satirical news, or surf TheHollywoodGossip.com to catch up on the celeb buzz of the week.

8. Meditate
Fifteen minutes of meditation refreshes the mind, body and soul. You can use music or a meditation CD. Turn your lights down low and free your mind. If this isn't feasible in your office, head to a quiet place outdoors where you can tune into you.

9. Get a pedicure
Schedule a weekly appointment for a pedicure. A good pedicure only takes 20 to 30 minutes, so it's easy to get one on your lunch hour. The foot massage and pampering will relieve stress and leave you feeling refreshed.

10. Take a nap
If you are really out of it, a 15 to 20 minute nap will rejuvenate you. Close your office door and put your head down on your desk. Be sure to set a timer so that you don't oversleep. When you wake up, splash some water on your face and get back to work.

And remember....tomorrow is FRIDAY and then the weekend awaits you!!