快节奏的都市生活常常让人喘不过气来，繁重的工作总是让人高度紧张。长期在“高压”下工作不但有损健康，对工作本身也会有坏影响。所以白领们一定要学会如何缓解工作压力。The time you spend at the office may be the most stressful part of your day, but it doesn't have to be. You have a greater ability to shape your office environment than you may realize.

Take breaks(小憩) throughout the day. It will help clear your mind and relieve pressure. Something as simple as going to the water cooler for a drink may do the trick(达到目的).

Enroll¹ in a noontime or an after-work exercise class(健身培训). This will give you a chance to unwind(放松) and a way to relieve stress.

To help your workday go smoothly², try pacing your activities(有条不紊地安排工作): Do more demanding work(要求较高的工作) in the morning, when your energy level is higher, and easier work later in the day, when you may be tired.

Try listening to music recordings³, such as a pounding surf or songbirds(海浪拍打岩石或鸟儿歌唱的声音), to help you relax. Such tapes are sold commercially. Use headphones if you'll be listening to them in the middle of the workday.

Get to work early or stay late once a week. You may be able to accomplish more when you vary your routine.

If your stress comes from job insecurity, take stock of(评估) yourself. Update your resume, and remind yourself of your skills and strengths. Also, make sure you keep up with new developments in your field. This will make you valuable to employers.

Don't let work rumors⁴, which are usually false, cause you worry. A co-worker may just be thinking out loud about worst-case scenarios(最坏的情况).