Depression Support Journal

by Meredith Franco

• Being a working woman is not an easy job. Whether you pop out of the office for a stroll, grab a quick cappuccino or close your eyes for a moment, you all agree that without a break, stress builds up.

Downtime can be just long enough to get perspective. ''Five minutes and I feel refreshed and ready for the other stresses coming my way,'' writes iVillager mamaalero. Try these ideas to give yourself a midday boost.

Get the blood flowing

Member seyton takes 45 minutes each day to ''walk on our on-site gym and play.'' Linda takes time out for a ''three-mile power walk at lunch.'' As a result she feels more capable and gets more accomplished.

Make a date with yourself

iVillager kitten18944 actually sets an alarm clock for her cherished time alone. ''Everyday, my break is preplanned. My body knows what it needs. If I don't take a break, I end up with a headache.''

Pamper your senses

''I keep a candle on my desk,'' says Kip, who also practices 'diaphragmatic breathing exercises.' Ladf1, who works for a florist, stops to ''smell the roses -- literally.'' After a few ''nose hits,'' as she likes to call them, she is inspired to ''get back in the game and create.''

Add a little daytime drama

Lissymac, who works from home, requires a daily helping of The Young and the Restless before starting back up. ''A good dose of Shemar Moore always makes my task load feel lighter.''

Juggle, literally

And skhfda, who works for an online company, counts on his credo to get him through. ''Just juggle,'' he says. He keeps three balls at his desk for little breaks that keep his hands busy and let his mind relax.

Don't be afraid to laugh

Frieda42, a nurse in a hospital, says ''My coworkers and I have learned to see the humor in life, and we don't mind a good belly laugh now and then.''

Watch the world go by

Shana works a tight shift at a mental health agency for adolescents. When in need of rejuvenation, she takes a walk and people watches. ''When I'm back, I'm ready for the next appointment and whatever they've brought with them.''

Indulge, when you need to

''I have a very stressful job as a manager for the United Way,'' writes Lori. ''A cigarette break twice a day relieves my stress'' (although she knows it's bad for her).

Don't be afraid to lean on others

When you're stressed, you need a support system. Whether that support is in your backyard or miles away, do whatever it takes to bring it closer.

One iVillager has her partner for relief. ''My daily affirmations from my boyfriend remind me why I work full-time and attend school full-time.''

Save inspirational voicemails for later

Twofortwo says that she gets a boost from her two little girls. ''For a quick pick-me-up, I listen to the voicemails they leave, which say, 'I love you, Mommy.' My spirits are lifted for the rest of the day.''

Change your daily routine

For those who work at or near home, slipping home in the middle of day is a way to recharge. iVillager Emma in England even goes home at lunchtime to bathe. ''While I'm soaking, most of my colleagues are buzzing around London trying to find a decent sandwich.''

But keep in mind Emma's rub-a-dub tip: ''Make sure you have a cold water splash afterwards or you might start falling asleep. It took me a few days to realize this.''

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this