Stress is a major problem for many people, a hectic job, a chaotic home life, bad habits such as unhealthy eating, drinking and smoking all can lead to a mountain of stress. Our lives will probably never be totally stress free – I don’t think that’s even possible. But when stress gets too high, it causes us to be unhappy and unhealthy which can increase cortisol levels and cause all sorts of harm to our body.
Simplifying your life can really transform the way you live in a positive way. You can start small by changing one habit a month and gradually over the course of a year or two change a lot of things in your life. Here are a few ideas which you can follow to help minimise stress and be the best version of you.
1 Wake up early
Wake up early in the morning, follow a daily routine and set a time to sleep at night and when to wake up. Waking up early is not just healthy for your body but it is also beneficial in improving mental health.
2 One thing at a time
This is the simplest way to start reducing stress. Focus on as much as possible on doing one thing at a time. Do only that and remove all distractions. Doing one thing at a time improves the productivity and quality of your work.
3 Simplify your schedule
Reduce the amount of commitments in your life to just the essential ones and learn to say no to the rest. Schedule only a few important things a day and leave space in-between them to recharge. Also plan in leisure time which will give you something to look forward to and help you unwind.
4 Plan your finances
Devise a savings and bill payment plan and find ways of having fun which doesn’t involve spending money. Question that purchase before buying it, is it necessary and do you need it?
5 Clutter free
Less is more, have a sort out and give unwanted items away to charity, we can become too comfortable in the accumulation of household clutter which makes it hard for our minds to let go and truly relax. Our homes are a reflection of our lives.
6 Get moving & Eat healthy
Do something each day to be active – walk, swim, cycle play sport. Just move and have fun doing it. Develop one healthy habit this month, other than getting active improving your overall health will help with stress. Eat to live by maintaining a good balanced diet which can help you feel your best and maintain a healthy body weight.
7 Pamper yourself
Press pause, recharge, detox, go into nature and start smiling. Be blessed being in a calming environment. It could be taking a bath, reading, going for a walk or having a spa day. Pampering yourself helps ease stress and reminds you that your needs are important too. Getting a massage is an effective treatment for reducing stress and muscle tension. It helps you relax which aids a better night sleep. This can contribute to a higher confidence in yourself and your life and can promote long term feelings of wellbeing.
8 Yoga & Meditation
Many people begin practising yoga to cope with feelings of stress and help relaxation which is something we all seek. It helps calm the mind and keeps our bodies flexible. Meditation is also an excellent way of cleansing your mind from all negative and stressing thoughts, by focusing on breathing this helps to reduce your anxiety and think positive.
9 Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has many health benefits and is great for reducing anxiety and boosting energy levels. By adding a few drops of your favourite essential oil to a diffuser can transport you to a place of peace and calm. When we are in a stressful situation, we end up getting tense and worried without giving a thought to ourselves. Take a few deep breaths and give your body and mind the rest it needs.
10 Relax Take a break
Take a break/holiday, it’s good for you mentally, physically and emotionally. Planning activities and adventure helps to lower stress and can help you feel more refreshed and energised. Its important to give your mind a break, switch off and relax your body. Being continuously involved in work can be stressful, so remember to take a break and connect with yourself. Take time out and do nothing.
11 Embrace the real world
Totally unplug from all devices which will reduce work related stress and improve your quality of sleep, in-person relationships, concentration and increase productivity. To fully relax your lifestyle and live a stress-free life remove all distractions. These distractions are generally types of equipment such as mobile phones, laptops and television. We can’t totally avoid using them but when focusing or working on a particular job switch them off for a few hours a day and take a break.
12 Be happy
Then finally, always be happy! It’s also the health and contentment of your mind which will lead to happier living. This can also mean taking care of yourself physically and mentally. ‘Change is constant, so keep smiling and remember it’s only an attitude – you can choose a negative or a positive response just keep reminding yourself that it can’t last forever’.
Planning a few of these simple strategies into your day and week will help minimise stress and live a happy healthy lifestyle. Please leave a comment below on how you choose to minimise stress in your life.
Zen Pamper Company