28 Reliable Stress Reducers
We all experience stress. I was once told that life without stress is death; that’s a reality check for sure. There is the typical stress of daily living and then there is unexpected stress for which we don’t feel prepared. When stress begins to overwhelm us, it can take a toll on our health, relationships, and confidence. This is why simple changes in our personal habits can be effective stress relievers and can begin to create a sense of inner peace and improved physical health. The full list includes 28 stress reliever that can help you feel less affected by the predictable and unpredictable stress in your life.
If you need to begin with small steps; here’s my Fav 5!
- Get enough sleep. If necessary, use an alarm clock to remind you to go to bed.
- Give yourself 15 minutes extra time to get to where you are going; appointments, meetings, airline flights, etc.
- Simplify, simplify, simplify. . .
- Have an optimistic view of the world. Believe that most people are doing the best they can, most of the time.
- Say “No” to all the extras that you don’t have the time or energy for; everyone needs quiet time to relax.
Check out all 28…. try a new one each day of the month!
- Get up fifteen minutes earlier; the inevitable morning mishaps will be less stressful.
- Prepare for the morning the night before; pick out your clothes, make lunches, plan breakfast options.
- Don’t rely on your memory; write down appointments, library due dates, and dry cleaning pick-up.
- Make duplicates of all keys; hide house key in a secret spot, carry duplicate car key in your wallet, not your key ring.
- Procrastination is stressful; what you could do tomorrow, do today; what you want to do today, do it now.
- It it’s broken get it fixed. If your alarm clock, wallet, shoe laces, or windshield wipers are a constant aggravation, get them repaired or get new ones.
- Give yourself 15 minutes extra time to get to where you are going; appointments, meetings, airline flights, etc.
- Eliminate (or restrict) the amount of caffeine in your diet.
- Relax your standards. The world will not end if the grass doesn’t get mowed this weekend.
- Remember for every one thing that goes wrong, there are probably 10, 50 or 100 things that go right. Count your blessings.
- Ask questions; taking a few minutes to repeat directions, what is expected of you, etc., can save hours.
- Say “No”! Saying “no” to extra projects, social activities, and invitations you know you don’t have the time or energy for takes practice, self-respect, and a belief that everyone, everyday, needs quiet time to relax and be alone.
- Turn off your phone. Want to take a long bath, meditate, sleep, or read without interruption? Find the courage to “disconnect” or just voice mail do its’ job.
- Turn “needs” into preferences. Our basic physical needs translate into food, water, and shelter… everything else is a preference. Don’t get overly attached to preferences.
- Simplify, simplify, simplify. . .
- Make friends with non-worriers. Nothing can get you into the habit of worrying faster than associating with chronic worrywarts.
- Get up and stretch periodically if your job requires that you sit for extended periods.
- Wear earplugs. If you need to find quiet at home, pop in some earplugs.
- Get enough sleep. If necessary, use an alarm clock to remind you to go to bed.
- Create order out of chaos. Organize your home and workspace so that you know exactly where things are. Put things where they belong and you won’t have the stress of losing and searching for things.
- Writing your thoughts and feelings down in a journal or personal notebook can help you clarify things and give you a renewed perspective.
- Talk it out. Discussing your problems with a good friend can help clear your mind of confusion so you canconcentrate on problem solving.
- Every day, do something you really enjoy.
- Take a hot bath or shower (or a cool one in summertime) to relieve tension.
- Focus on understanding rather than on being understood; on loving rather than on being loved.
- Eliminate destructive self-talk: “I’m too old to. . .,” “I’m too fat to. . .,”, “If they knew the real me…”, etc.
- Have a forgiving view of events and people. Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world.
- Have an optimistic view of the world. Believe that most people are doing the best they can, most of the time.
