Five Ways to Get Through Tax Season and Lose the Overwhelm

Tax season can be stressful, so taking breaks is essential!

Here are five ways to give yourself a breather:

1. Step Outside for Fresh Air

   
   

   Staring at a computer screen, digging through receipts and looking for ways to get tax deductions can cause a major headache.  Take a short walk around the block, sit in the sun, or just breathe in some fresh air to reset your mind.

2. Use the Pomodoro Technique for Less Stress

   
   

   Work in focused 25-minute intervals, then take a 5-minute break to stretch, hydrate, or listen to a song you love.  After four pomodoros (breaks), take a longer break for about 15 to 30 minutes.  (An interesting fact about the Pomodoro Technique: the technique gets its name from the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that student Francesco Cirillo used during university.)

3. Treat Yourself 

   
   

   Have a favorite snack, coffee, or even a small reward planned after completing a tax-related task. Enjoy a cup of your favorite herbal tea to soothe frazzled nerves.  Who doesn’t love rewards?!

4. Do a Quick Mindfulness Exercise 

   
   

   A few deep breaths, a short meditation, or even closing your eyes for a moment can help reduce stress. 

   
   

   

   
   

   Lighting a lavender-scented candle and listening to relaxing music can help with both mindfulness and creating a pleasant environment for a not-so pleasant task.

5. Engage in a Different Activity 

   
   

   Step away from tax forms and do something completely different, like reading a fun article, doodling, or playing with a pet.  And if you can do that outside, even better.

   
   

Taking these small breaks will help keep you focused and less overwhelmed during the dreaded tax season.