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How do you keep your spirits up and foster a sense of joy on the job? Readers from one of my favorite magazines, “Real Simple” share their tricks.

Tea Break

I recently bought my mom a glass teapot with an infuser, and she now shares that gift with her coworkers as a way to take a little pause in their workday. At 2 every afternoon, my mom brews a new variety of tea and shares some downtime with the other women on her floor. It’s a great healthy break from a stressful day, and it lets them really connect with one another. It makes me wish I worked there so I could join in.

– Mary Stowell, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Lakeside Walk

To defuse stress, I take a daily walk, usually with a friend (we keep each other accountable). I work by the river, and there’s a nice two-mile loop down a wooded path. Give me 40 to 45 minutes out there and I come back to my desk feeling refreshed, grounded, and full of energy. I attribute this not only to the fresh air, but also to getting out into nature, which has an incredible way of resetting my mental state and recharging my senses.

– Lynn Tyne, Waltham, Massachusetts

Grand Entrance

I have a morning routine that I’m religious about. Before leaving the house for my 35-minute walk to work, I pick my “entrance song” for the day — like the song that would accompany a bridal party at a wedding reception. I cue it up on my iPod and play it as I’m riding up the elevator to my office. It always starts my day with a smile.

– Megan Flannery, New York City

Chocolate Fix

I keep a collage or some other piece of artwork at my desk — for variety, I always change it. Sweet treats are also a nice boost, so I make sure to have essentials like dark chocolate on hand. When I need a lift, I have a few no-fail solutions: a wind-up bumblebee toy and (as a last resort) blowing bubbles. But above all, I’m happy in my work because I choose to be.

– Katie Quinn, Troy, Michigan

Spice of Life

Through my job as a tennis instructor, I’m able to stay active, set my own schedule, and teach and learn at the same time. But I still need a few tools to keep my energy and enthusiasm up all day. My No. 1 strategy is variety. When I book a five-hour block of lessons, I always make sure there’s a mix: private sessions along with groups, both beginner and advanced players, students of many ages, easy lessons and more difficult ones. This variety keeps the day challenging — and fun.

– Jessica Cahill, Newton, Massachusetts

Read more at Wholeliving.com: How to Stay Happy at Work

via karenvaughn.com