5 Tips To Reduce Daily Stress
RENA GREENBERG
Did you even stop to consider the cacophony of stimuli that is bombarding you on a moment-to-moment basis?
Is your cell phone buzzing, beeping and ringing? Do the children or adults in your life pull on you, demanding your attention? Are people sucking your energy, begging for solutions to their life’s challenges, leaving you feeling exhausted and empty?
As much as the people and technology in your life may bring you pleasure and fulfillment, they can still be a source of physical and emotional stress. The solution is not to necessarily cut them off, but rather learn ways to harness your own inner resources so that you’re not constantly reacting and being bombarded with dangerous levels of stress hormones.
Here are 5 tips to help you to reduce your daily stress:
1. Take Beneficial Time for Yourself
The key word here is: Beneficial. No matter how much or how little alone time you have in a day, be sure to make it count. Rather than spending your precious “me” time catching up on emails or chatting on the phone, use your time wisely, instead.
Typing away on the computer or mindlessly speaking into your cell phone are both activities that may simply drain your energy reserves even more. Instead, take time to breathe deeply and contemplate positive, healthy thoughts and scenarios. Breathe in strength and peace, and release the thoughts that are causing you stress and anxiety.
2. Focus on What You Want
It’s so easy to slip into the trap of re-living all the issues in your life that cause you pain. Are you replaying hurtful conversations in your head? Are your mental movies causing you to suffer? If so, welcome to the human race! We all do this from time to time.
The antidote is flooding your mind with mental images that make you feel good. Remember the bright, vivid colors of that beautiful sunset you saw the other day. Close your eyes and breathe in the laughter of a child you love. Remind yourself of how good it felt to cuddle with your favorite pet. Recall the happiness of your wedding day. Bring to mind thoughts that strengthen and nourish you.
3. Avoid Harmful Substances
When you’re under stress, it’s natural to want to self-soothe. But it’s possible that the ways you are accustomed to nurturing yourself may be doing more harm than good.
Do you mindlessly reach for chocolate or cookies in an effort to give yourself pleasure? Is wine or beer a comfort for you more often than you know it should be?
Start to become mindful about what you are putting into your body. Even though alcohol or sugar may give you short-term relief, it’s likely that in the long run, ingesting harmful substances may take a toll on you and increase your stress level.
4. Select Your Companions Wisely
Who you surround yourself with is a key indicator of how you are going to feel. Do you have enough upbeat and positive energy in your life? Or, are the people in your inner circle a drain on you mentally and physically?
I’m not suggesting that you dump long-term friendships, but it may be helpful to expand your social circle. Seek out people who are on a spiritual/personal growth path, with a commitment to better themselves and their life circumstances. Choose to bond with others at a level that uplifts you, rather than the familiarity of doom and gloom conversation.
5. Have Fun
Do you take yourself and your responsibilities too seriously? If so, you owe it to yourself to have some down time. Take the opportunity to replenish your energy by doing activities that you completely enjoy. Allow yourself to find refuge in the tranquility and beauty of nature. Engage in a sport or activity that brings out the best in you. Spend time with animals or people you really enjoy. Laugh. Let go. Remember that you deserve to be happy.
The world has become a very stressful place. Like it or not, we are all made of energy and we absorb the energies around us—positive and negative. Make sure to take time to fill yourself with positive energy and loving thoughts on a daily basis. You have the power to uplift yourself mentally, physically and emotionally. Don’t give that power away!
What Steps Have You Taken To Reduce The Stress Of Daily Life? Comment Below!
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Rena has successfully conducted weight-control seminars for major corporations such as Walt Disney World, Busch Gardens, AT&T, and Home Depot, as well as for more than 70 hospitals throughout the U.S. Since 1989, Rena has helped more than 100,000 people achieve their weight goals. Rena is a graduate of City University of New York with a degree in bio-psychology. She’s a certified hypnotherapist through the National Guild of Hypnotists, as well as a nationally certified biofeedback therapist.