Stress impacts pretty much everyone these days. It’s horrible, and if you’re not careful, it can suck the life out of you, leaving you to wonder why you never feel good. While there is something to be said for learning how to cope with the unavoidable stresses of life, there are also plenty of ways to decrease its effects, so you don’t have to feel so frazzled all the time.
To help you feel less spent and more content, follow these seven golden rules for a stress-free life:
- Get Your Finances in Order
Nearly three-quarters of Americans feel stressed about finances at least some of the time, and finances are consistently cited as the most stressful aspect of life. If financial anxiety is getting on top of you, it’s time to face your fears and do something about it. That could mean finding a financial advisor to help you get out of debt or enlisting an online tax agent to handle your taxes, so you don’t have to stress about them. There are affordable services out there and plenty of nonprofits offering free advice for those in need, so never assume you have to go it alone.
- Get Therapy
If you are struggling from emotional whirlwinds that, quite frankly, do a number on your noggin, it may be time to get therapy. Even one session a month is a great idea, and once again, there are low-cost and free programs available in many countries.
A therapist can teach you strategies and coping mechanisms to manage stress in daily life. The one question you’ll keep asking yourself a few months down the track is, “why didn’t I do this sooner?”
- Take Time Off Social-Media
Electronic devices are a source of stress for most Americans. Taking technology breaks is a great way to reduce stress, but specifically, taking time off social media will fast-track the positive impact.
Social media traps us in an unhealthy comparison cycle, throws scary news in our faces, and can expose our minds to all kinds of stressors. Time away from it will help you be more mindful and less stressed.
- Get Out in Nature
Studies show that nature is an antidote for stress. It is immersive and one of the cheapest and easiest ways to calm your mind. Watch birds, swim at the beach, hike through the woods – immerse yourself in nature, and it will wash your worries away.
- Avoid Energy Vampires
“Energy vampires” make you feel bad after you have seen them. You might feel exhausted, bad about yourself, or generally negative – they just don’t make you feel good. So where possible, avoid spending time with friends or family members who always bring drama, defensiveness, or toxicity. Instead, invest your time in people who lift your spirits.
- Work Smarter
83% of American workers suffer from work-related stress. Whether you need to change careers, work fewer hours, or learn to delegate, it’s crucial to address your weak spots and improve your relationship with work. Do so, and you can look forward to a calmer mind and more relaxed body.
- Get Your Physical Health in Order
Exercise is known to make you feel less stressed and to create endorphins – feel-good hormones. So, simply moving more can free you from the effects of stress. Run, walk, or swim in nature and you’re getting a double whammy of de-stressing goodness.
Follow the steps above to stress less and enjoy life more. You only get one shot at your time on the planet, and you deserve to live it without feeling fried all the time.
