The notion of “having it all” is a falsehood perpetuated by society that only a select minority of people are able to achieve. However, this does not stop the rest of us from occupying our lives with pursuits to “have it all” only to find ourselves loaded down with the stress of our family, our jobs, everyday traffic and our other daily responsibilities. Some days, it seems the treadmill of daily woes never cease to exist—especially now since it’s hard to get completely away when people know how to reach you by cell phone.
While trying to gain a handle on the drama in your life, you also need to consider how you will decrease the stress since it takes a toll on your body and mental health. Stress is known to cause insomnia, headaches, asthma, muscle tension, heart disease, digestive problems and a weak immune system. Under such circumstances stress can rapidly deteriorate your health if you don’t get a handle on it. So, strive to reduce your stress while trying to gain control of the chaos in your life. You can get a head start by trying some of the strategies listed here.
Practice Gratitude
We are constantly introduced to image after image of photo-enhanced models, flawless Instagram pics, and new styles or trends until it makes it hard to value what we already have instead of always desiring to have the next big thing. If we start to have an appreciation for the things we have, we will do our immune system a big favor. So make it a point to jot down those things in your life that make you happy and those things that you are appreciative of having, and you will begin to decrease a lot of the stress you have in life.
Take regular vacations
Make it a point to get away from work—completely. Take a couple of days off and don’t read any work emails so you can immerse yourself in an environment with no thought of work. Studies have proven that days off from work will decrease your stress levels and improve your overall health. You will also be able to return to work with more energy and drive to be productive than before.
Meditate to ease stress
Meditation is a popular technique in this age for improving mental well-being. It has been known to help diminish the effects of depression, emotional irritability and cognitive disorganization. It improves work productivity and decreases the feeling of being alone. Your perfect meditation technique may not happen overnight, but it will come to you naturally in due time. So don’t stress over finding time to meditate. Just make sure you always have a quiet area to help you create a sense of peace when you do have the free time.
Breathe Deeply
This can be done wherever you are. When life seems to get out of hand and hectic (like when you are interacting with rude people, in a traffic jam, stuck in a long line, etc.), deep breathing can be just what you need. Deep breathing has some of the same benefits as meditation because it helps get rid of anxiety as soon as it occurs. So, count to 10 while your eyes are closed, focusing on taking your deep breaths. You may have to hold your breath for a few seconds (between 5 and 10) before exhaling. Either way, deep breathing works wonders for reducing stress.
Stretch with Yoga
Yoga is just like deep breathing and meditation because of how it brings stress relief to the body. It is an excellent tool for removing muscle tension, which if left unchecked, could lead to pain, muscle spasms, and pinched nerves. It should be no secret why yoga is a wise choice for stress relief: it helps you lose weight and enhances blood circulation while relieving stress.
Use Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy allows you to use a scent to help relieve stress, gain energy, or feel relaxed. There’s a science behind this: your olfactory processing center produces memories depending on a certain fragrance your body is exposed to. Even though responses may differ for some individuals, lavender and eucalyptus are often considered to be universal scents for relaxation.
