Boom Roasted
“It’s true. Around this office, in the past, I have been a little abrupt with people. But the doctor said, if I can’t find a new way to relate more positively to my surroundings, I’m going to die.”
-Stanley Hudson
Welcome to the Michael Scott Daily Wash Your Stress Away Seminar
Are we doing this daily? Yes, we are. My favorite episode of the entire series is Stress Relief Part 1. This episode is probably the most infamous because it aired right after the Super Bowl.
In this episode, Dwight sets fire to the office to see how much everyone is paying attention during his earlier fire safety meeting. We quickly learned that no one was listening. During all the chaos, Stanley falls and has a heart attack. When Stanley returns to the office, Michael wants to ensure that he makes it a peaceful place.
Michael Scott's Relaxation Techniques
That’s when we are taken to a scene of Michael making “om…” sounds. They gather in the conference room, and he begins his seminar. Here are all the things Michael did in his seminar:
He takes their cell phones away.
He asks them to relax their bodies.
He talks in a soothing voice and creates a scenario for them to imagine as they lay down and close their eyes.
He holds a lit candle.
Before holding the seminar, Michael is found searching for relaxing music, so let’s add that to the list. Are any of these things helpful in reducing stress? They didn’t seem to work for the folks in the office, but maybe there is some truth here. Let’s break it down.
Taking your cell phone away—if you are trying to relax and your phone is contributing to your stress through endless text messages and other notifications, then yes, taking a break from your phone might do you some good. I find that my anxiety goes up when I’m working, and my Teams notifications are going off, emails are coming through, and texts are going off on my cell phone, along with email notifications. It’s enough to drive anyone to a breaking point.
Relax your body—According to the Mayo Clinic and several other sources, relaxation techniques help reduce stress. When we feel stressed, our bodies release hormones that can increase our heart rates and blood pressure. Breathing and other relaxation techniques help lower your blood pressure and heart rate.
Listen to soothing sounds or music—Michael was not wrong here. Research shows that music can decrease cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress. The music should have a slower tempo to help your brain sync with the beat. The brain sends messages to the rest of your body, so your breathing and heart rate go down.
Imagine calming images in your mind—This technique has proven effective. Imagining peaceful scenery can help reduce your blood pressure.
Lit candles—I know when I light candles at home, I feel a sense of peace. Especially after I’ve cleaned, the last thing I do is light that candle. It instantly makes my home feel calm and peaceful. Candles can help improve your mood, which can help reduce stress and anxiety. I would tie this in with aromatherapy. I don’t know much about this type of therapy, but I do find that eucalyptus oil calms me down.
Michael was trying. All his methods looked good when typed out. The problem was his delivery and his history of stressing them out. He finds out that he is stressing his staff out, which bothers Michael. What does he do next?
Michael: “The reason that you are all so stressed around me is that you are too intimidated to tell me what you really think. You are keeping these feelings inside, and that is causing stress. So what is a solution? Solution is honesty, laughter, and comedy. In short -
Kelly: “A vacation.”
Michael: “It–what? No. No, I am talking about a roast of Michael Scott.”
How to Manage Stress at Work
☝️Oscar talking about being stressed out in S9 episode 6, "The Boat."
While all the techniques Michael tried are proven to help reduce stress, trying them out while in the office might be difficult. If you work from home, these techniques can work great. When you’re in an office, you may not have the same level of privacy as when you work from home.
Here are some suggestions that I think could help you if you find yourself in the office and feeling the stress take over:
Instead of shutting down, losing it, or crying hysterically, I suggest booking a meeting room away from where you work. For example, my office has several floors. I like to book meeting rooms on a different floor when I am in the office. I found a floor with fewer people, which is an added bonus. Sometimes, I need to get away from my desk and everyone around me. The quietness of the room helps to calm me down.
If this is not a viable option, perhaps stepping outside and going for a short walk can help. If the sun is out, soak in the sun for a few minutes, close your eyes, and try breathing exercises.
Stress Management in the Workplace
The above tips to manage stress are for when the stress is already taking over. What about ways to reduce stress initially? What’s driving the stress? Is it your manager? A colleague? The workload? All the above?
We can’t control what others do, but can control what we do. I’m not perfect or always stress-free, but I try my best to prevent stress from occurring. There are some practical ways to manage stress before it gets out of control. Here are some things that have helped me.
If the workload stresses you out, I find it helpful to create a to-do list. I use Microsoft One Note at work, and I first list the things I need to work on every morning. Sometimes, I’ll start my list the day before. Everything that doesn’t get done that day gets moved to the next day. I love checking things off my list. It helps me focus on one task at a time.
Managing your time efficiently is key. Once you have your checklist above, you can organize your day. Which task needs to be done first? Start prioritizing your list. Don’t forget to schedule lunch and breaks.
Lunch and breaks are essential for your mental health. I like to take a 10-minute break at the top of each hour. I step away from my desk. I primarily work from home, so I’ll get up and stretch my legs, walk around the house, finish my Wordle, wash some dishes, or fold some of that pile of laundry staring at me. In the office, get up and walk around. Sometimes, I will go into the stairwell, walk down a few levels, and roam another floor.
Get some exercise. If you’ve read a couple of my other blog posts, you’ll recall that walking is almost always the answer to all your problems. It’s good for mind, body, and soul. It’s more accessible at home because I have a treadmill and a standing desk. I’ve set a 10k steps daily goal this year and am proud to say I’ve been killing it. Although, I could do better on the weekends. I’m usually a sloth on the weekends.
Eat a balanced diet. I don’t eat perfectly healthy. I try to choose healthier options but still enjoy the foods that bring me joy. Those not-so-healthy joys are enjoyed in moderation. It’s been easier to pick the more nutritious options because I’m at an age where the wrong foods will trigger heartburn. If you’ve ever experienced heartburn, you will try to avoid those trigger foods.
Lastly, a clean and organized workspace helps me feel comfortable and productive. If you need more tips on creating a better workspace, check out my work-from-home tips.
If your team or manager is driving the stress, and you are finding ways to help your mental health that aren’t enough, maybe it’s time to consider a new job. I know that isn’t always easy. Be patient and work on an exit plan. If you are a spiritual person, there is power in prayer.
Boom Roasted
Finally, if none of these tips help reduce your stress or help you manage it, you can always have a good old-fashioned roast. After all, honesty, laughter, and comedy are solutions to stress.
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