Stress is an inevitable part of everyday life. There is no way to avoid it, but in manageable amounts, it can even be a positive force that helps us grow into the best version of ourselves. However, coping with it is no small feat – especially when the big life stressors (like losing someone, moving, or changing jobs) come along.
In this post, we’ll take a look at seven ways to deal with everyday stress. These tactics can help us live more fulfilled lives and be better prepared for life’s biggest challenges.
Set Yourself a Routine
Start by creating a daily routine that you enjoy. It doesn’t have to be ultra-productive, nor does it have to start with you rolling out of bed at 5 AM. All you need to do is come up with those little pleasures that will make each day a bit more enjoyable.
This may mean brewing yourself an extra tasty cup of coffee in the morning or taking a walk to work to wake yourself up. Whatever suits you, make sure you plan it into your day. When you feel overwhelmed, it will be reassuring to reach for these routines and feel safe and comforted knowing you have something to cheer you up a bit.
Move Your Body More
Sadly, movement is extremely underrated. We sit at our desks all day, and then we just move to a couch in the evening. With this kind of a routine, we simply fail to get our blood flowing. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to all kinds of issues, including obesity, heart trouble, and even cancer.
In order to de-stress and improve your health, make a conscious effort to move more. Walking is enough, but if you incorporate some medium-intensity exercises as well, you’ll notice you are feeling a lot better as time goes by. Just dancing around your house can be a great way to get some extra movement and feel more energized.
Get Plenty of Sleep
A lack of sleep also leads to an increase in stress, as our body and mind don’t have enough time to recover from the stressors we have exposed them to during the day. When we do sleep well, we are instantly more positive and able to face life’s challenges with more ease.
Create a relaxing bedtime routine and make sure your bedroom is a place of calm and quiet. Investing in a quality mattress can significantly improve your sleep and help you wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Find a Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness means different things to different people, and you don’t have to start meditating in order to feel more mindful every day. You can choose to journal, listen to your favorite music, or simply lie on the floor, looking at the ceiling and daydreaming of the beach.
Your goal is to connect to the present moment and relax your mind and body, so whatever helps you do that is a good option.
Limit Your Screen Time
We are all guilty of spending too much time in front of a screen, and this can heighten our stress levels. The fear of missing out or a drop in confidence is often the result of spending too much time on social media.
Try to limit your screen time and schedule it in like any other task. Instead of reaching for your phone every couple of minutes, consider it a reward in the evening or a brief break in the middle of the day. That way, you will both become less addicted and be able to focus on the other things in your life.
Look on the Bright Side
A positive outlook can often literally change your life. Instead of focusing on the negatives that are happening in your life, or the negatives in the world at large, try to always find at least one positive thing to focus on and look forward to.
This shift in mindset can quickly lead to more productivity, less stress, and an overall feeling of satisfaction, which can help you deal with life’s challenges more easily.
Accept That You Can’t Control the World
A lot of everyday stress is caused by things we have no control over. Perhaps someone has said or done something, or something has happened to us that we find unpleasant, challenging, and stressful but that we aren’t able to influence in any way.
Learning how to let go of the urge to control the world will instantly reduce the amount of daily stress in your life. It really helps to embrace the fact that the only thing we can control is the way we respond to stress and the things that are happening around us.
Final Thoughts
There is no way to avoid stress in life, no matter how relaxed you are or how many mindfulness practices you adopt. However, when you start doing your best to combat everyday stressors, you’ll notice a considerable shift in the overall quality of your life.