7 Steps to Less Stress

October 14, 2019

No one lives a stress-free life, but there are steps you can take to help reduce or eliminate some of the stressors that can affect your health. Here are just a few steps to consider:

Avoid or reduce caffeine, alcohol and nicotine intact.

Because they are stimulants, caffeine and nicotine increase stress levels. And while alcohol, in small quantities, can act is a stimulant, the more you consumer the more it acts as a depressant, essentially eliminating its usefulness as a stress reliever.

Get physical

Exercising regularly can have an enormous impact on how your body deals with stress. The endorphins released when exercising can help improve your overall health including your stress levels, sleep pattern and mood.

Chill out

There are lots of different stress techniques, like meditation, deep breathing, even self-hypnosis. Through trial and error, you can find one that works best from you, both in terms of effectiveness and how easily it fits into your life.

Give it a rest

When you’re tired, you’re more susceptible to stress, and because stressors. Try going to bed at or near the same time every night and aim for 7- to 8-hours of sleep. Avoid caffeine and alcohol late at night, and try to stop doing mentally challenging work several hours before bedtime.

Manage your time

To Do lists may help keep you organized, but they can also lead you to feel overburdened and overwhelmed. Accept that you simply can’t do everything at once

and learn to prioritize.

Just say ‘No”

If that To Do list is truly overwhelming, ask yourself if it would be less so if you were better at saying No.  Too often, people with more than enough responsibilities on they late are still reluctant to turn down additional work. Learning to politely say no can reduce your stress level while also possibly helping you develop enough self-confidence to stick up for yourself more easily.

Ask for help

Asking for help may not always be easy, but when you need a shoulder to cry on or someone to listen to you, it can help put things into perspective.  Seeking support from family and friends or a professional isn’t a sign of weakness. In fact, it takes courage to admit you need help.