How often do you find yourself feeling stressed and overwhelmed? Wouldn’t you like to know how you can reduce stress? Continue reading to learn practical ways in which you can reduce stress in your life.
How You Can Reduce Stress
1. Eliminating the stressors in your life
Do you know what the stressors are in your life?
I would like for you to first take a moment to stop and identify your stressors… Hey “YOU!” That’s right you heard me. Do not continue reading without jotting down stressors that come to mind in your life.
The fact that you are reading this post tells me that you need a little help. Do not skip this important step. It will help you better analyze the next step in the process of how you can reduce stress in your life.
Stressors can include:
- people
- unnecessary commitments
- disorganization
External stressors can include:
- major life changes
- financial problems
- traumatic events
- work related stress
Now, that you have your list. Continue to step 2.
2. Identify and understand what you CAN and CANNOT change
Having the ability to identify and understand what you can and cannot change is the next important step in this process. This is what I like to call the acceptance of stressors in your life.
To make changes or learn how to cope with it, we have to have a full understanding of the stressor. It really comes down to this, it’s no need to stress about things that are out of our control.
The current pandemic is a stressor that is affecting us all. Yet, it is something out of our control.
Whether it has directly impacted your job, the dynamics of your child’s learning, or simply the way we now have to shop we have to adapt to the changes.
These stressful changes we have to learn how to accept that we can’t change the situation, but we can control how we respond to it.
I’m not letting this pandemic keep my family and I from our everyday routines. No, we are not staying cooped up in the house, eyes glued on the news for the latest outbreak details. [You can find us at our local Target]
Focus on what you can change, rather than what you cannot change.
3. Exercise Regularly
Did you know lack of self care and investment in your health and wellbeing are telling signs that you’re living a stress filled life?
To reduce this stress get out and enjoy some fresh air.
Most people hear exercise regularly, they immediately think… Oh, I need a gym membership. … Nope!
Exercising regularly can be accomplished in many different ways to fit your schedule. I personally look forward to taking daily evening walks with my family around our neighborhood.
RELATED: Read about the Benefits of Exercise
Yoga is a great way to exercise at home and doesn’t require much. Morning yoga is the best to get your muscles loose and ready for the day.
I challenge you to roll out of bed… slide down onto your yoga mat into downward facing dog.
Stretch… Breathe…
I promise that by doing this you will wake up quicker. This is a great way to jump start your stress free day.
RELATED: Read about the Benefits of Yoga
4. Eat A Balanced Meal
Why is eating a balanced meal important? Being hangry is not a great option if you are seeking to reduce stress in your life.
If you are anything like me I am 100% more irritable and easily stressed if I don’t eat well or enough.
After all, I don’t prefer to eat big meals so I eat frequent small meals/ snacks (healthy snacks) throughout the day. Always, keeping a quick snack handy whether it’s fruit, nuts, or yogurt.
Having a quick snack has helped me refocus and keep my attitude in check.
Hangry Erica is not a pleasant one. And the universe does not need that type of energy from me.
5. Devote time to a hobby that your love
The best way to reduce stress is by choosing to do something you love. Do you enjoy arts and crafts, or how about crossword puzzles?
If that’s what you love you need to have those types of hobbies at hand to work on when you are having a stressful day.
Taking time out and devoting it to a hobby, is the ultimate investment in yourself and can definitely boost your mood.
Hobbies can include:
- walking your dog
- blogging
- writing
- gardening
- enjoying outdoor activities
Or just about anything that makes you feel good is a good hobby that can relax you and reduce stress.
After a long day I enjoy doing some light gardening; tending to my house plants. I even enjoy just sitting outside on our deck and watching the birds in our big Crepe Myrtle tree in the backyard.
6. Study and practice relaxation techniques
Studying and practicing relaxation techniques is crucial in order to reduce stress in your life. Why? Simply, because everyday won’t always be an easy day.
Acceptance.
When you find yourself feeling stressed you might not be in a place where you can engage in exercise or something you love to take your mind off the stress. That is when learning to cope comes into place.
For me, traffic is my biggest stressor. I can’t avoid traffic but I definitely can practice relaxation techniques to help me cope through rough and stressful moments throughout my day.
While in the car I like to listen to audiobooks or podcasts. I also enjoy listening to positive affirmations to keep me focused, present, and calm.
If listening to audiobooks or podcasts isn’t your style. A simple ‘whoosah‘ in the middle of a meltdown will bring you back to center… and into the present moment.
Just know that, this too shall pass.
7. Learn To Say… No
Don’t stress yourself by taking on unnecessary commitments. Learn to say no, unless you are 100% confident that you can take on the commitment and manage it without incurring any additional stress.
Learning to say no is one of the biggest challenges to overcome. I struggled to learn to say no… other’s have no problem with it. I had to learn to be ok with saying no.
Now, I say no with confidence… and I am ok with that.
To be honest, your no to someone is not as big of a deal to them as it may be to you. You saying no, only prompts the person to ask someone else.
And that’s ok. Acceptance. Remember, that word. File it in your archives. Saying no is a great start to begin to reduce stress in your life.
8. Take Frequent Breaks
Rome was not built in a day. Well, it’s true. Always, remember that what you don’t finish today will await you tomorrow.
Remember to take frequent breaks in order to reduce stress. Learn how and when to step away from tasks. Utilize breaks as your time to reset, clear your mind, and reset.
Taking frequent breaks will help you accomplish more in the long run. Ensuring that you avoid burnout.
Ask Yourself:
What stressors are in my life? And what is the next step I am going to take to reduce the stressors in my life?
Share with me one thing in your life that you are going to work to change this week in order to reduce stress in your life. After you post in the comments the one thing you are focusing on this week. Please be sure to check back in towards the end of the week and share your progress.
I am encouraging you to make time for your hobbies. What hobby do you enjoy the most? Comment below.
I hope you found this blog topic informative and encouraging.
Xo Erica