Life can be tough, and many things can cause stress and frustration in your daily routine. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to let these things get on top of you and this will eventually be detrimental to both your mental and physical health. It’s important to try and keep your stress levels at a minimum, but this is easier said than done for a lot of people. If you’re finding yourself overwhelmed and in need of a change, here are some things for you to consider that could help to reduce the stress in your life.
Assess Your Triggers
Not everything is going to make you feel this way, so a good starting point in reducing your stress is to identify what triggers these emotions. It could be that you’re trying to take on too much, or perhaps there is an individual in your life who is toxic? Is there an aspect of your job that you find overwhelming and difficult to work through? Once you have assessed your triggers and figured out what is the cause of your stress, you can then work towards finding a solution to these problems.
Say No
For a lot of people, it’s very difficult to say no to things. The feeling of letting someone down or not pulling your weight can put you off from saying no, but sometimes you need to put yourself first. If you’re too tired to go out and meet your friends for drinks, or you already have a million tasks to do at work, don’t allow yourself to be pressured into doing more than you can manage. It might be hard to break this habit at first, but once you start being more comfortable with turning people down whether it be for social engagements or professional, you will start to feel liberated and notice that weight lift from your shoulders.
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
It might not seem as though furniture would affect your stress levels, but the truth is it could be having an impact on you. For example, if you’re sleeping on a bad mattress this will be disturbing your sleep and not giving your body the support that it needs to recover each night. Equally, if you sit at a desk all day for your job, it’s important to have a good chair and wrist support for your computer. Even gamers need to make sure they’re sitting on comfortable and supportive furniture. Click here to find out more about stress and video games and how your gaming chair could be affecting you.
Get a Hobby
Another good way to reduce your stress levels is by making time for yourself and doing something your love. Hobbies are a great way to switch off and make sure you’re including some enjoyment into your routine. Whether it’s something creative like painting or writing, or you’re more into sports, taking time out at least once a week for some quality ‘me time’ will help calm you down. Getting lost in a good book, watching your favorite movie or TV shows, or even playing your favorite game are also good choices for you to enjoy.
Socialize
Although it’s important not to feel pressured into attending social events you’re too tired to go to — or simply aren’t interested in going to — make sure you’re not isolating yourself, either. Spending time with family and friends is a perfect way to blow off some steam and an opportunity to talk over things that might be bothering you. Your social network tends to be made up of those closest to you, and it’s those individuals that make up your support system. Human beings are social creatures by nature; therefore, making sure you’re seeing people regularly can help to boost your mood and lower stress levels.
Practice Mindfulness
Meditation and other mindfulness techniques have been advocated by many people as a stress relief method for centuries. Learning how to calm your mind and center yourself can be challenging at first, but once you get used to the process and manage to master the art, you will notice a big change. Guided meditation is recommended for those who are new to it, as this makes it a lot easier to focus. Even ten minutes a day can introduce more tranquillity into your daily routine. If you’re feeling particularly stressed in a certain situation, removing yourself for five to ten minutes and meditating could help you return with a clearer head.
Exercise
If you’re not getting enough exercise this could also be causing your stress levels to rise. Taking part in physical activity, even swapping a drive for a walk each day, could help to release endorphins in your brain and boost your mood. It’s important to give your body what it needs, and exercise is an essential part of a happy, healthy lifestyle. A good workout is a great way to release tension from your body and help you relax.
Diet
Like the point above, your diet is another area you might need to evaluate if you’re feeling high-stress levels. If your body isn’t getting the right nutrients, you will start to feel sluggish, lethargic, and generally low in mood. Junk food might be convenient or seem like a comfort, but too much of it will contribute to more stress in your life if you’re not careful.
Do You Like Your Job?
Working in a job you hate will be causing your stress and unhappiness. You spend so much time at work and this is why it’s important to be doing something you love, or at the very least, enjoy doing each day. While a career change might not be easy, if you hate your job you should seriously consider what your options are and the steps you need to take to move into a career that will make you happy. Don’t let yourself become stressed over something like a job – the bottom line is, it’s just not worth it.
Life can get stressful at times, but it shouldn’t be a constant feeling. If you’re sick of feeling frustrated and low because of the stress in your life, consider these points above and see how they can help you make a positive, lasting change.
