Simple, Small Ways To Stress Less In Your Daily Insanity Called Life
Here are 9 mini steps that help you to be less stressed than the others
Nutshell Nudge
If you are stressed and overwhelmed and it feels like the world with its crazy speed is working against you – there is always one remedy to fall back on. It’s You.
Certainly is the environment such as the workplace, the home, and the city a reason for our stress as those places have become very demanding and hectic places.
We are overwhelmed, chronically tired and stressed, pushed and pressured all the time to produce and perform.
When you are stressed it feels like others and the world are against you. You find yourself in a passive role, the chaos and overload are happening to you and you can’t handle it anymore.
You are stressed because your boss is unpleasantly treating you. No appreciation, extra work, unfriendly or little contact.
If only the colleague wouldn’t leave always early and you have to do extra work, you would be less stressed.
If only my computer wouldn’t always crash, I would be less stressed to get my work done more efficiently. (I guess I should get a new computer and I will be less stressed about that technical challenge.)
And then what happens?
The 2 Most Important Steps
Any work or personal development, progress, or change is based on 2 things: MINDSET and DOING.
Mindset:
Your attitude decides everything.
Humans find it enormously difficult to change habits and empathize with others. This results in a lot of resentment, lack of understanding, and miscommunication.
Also, people don't want to deal with themselves. They don’t like to reflect on themselves and figure out who they are and who they want to be.
You need to Want or Not Want something, so you have the motivation and energy to move your butt. Without really feeling the desire to do, change, or improve something, you will not Do it.
Action/Doing:
We all like to talk and talk and have great ideas, and plans - but if we don't get into MAKING and ACTION nothing happens. Nothing will change or move forward.
Many more people could be healthier, happier, more agile, more educated, or even earn much more money/success - but for that, you would have to DO something! And most people are too lazy for that.
It is surprising how many people prefer feeling miserable and indulging in complaints rather than getting into an action mood and doing something about it.
For those who are willing to get into action to reduce your stress level…
There Is Always The Option To Start With Yourself
It’s a little stressful to always blame others for the stress you encounter. Just skip that part. Be aware of who you blame for what. The world is in a rush, but that doesn’t mean you have to run with the rush.
One solution might be that you can start with yourself.
If you give yourself a little break from the stress the world produces, you are a few mini steps closer to not feeling so overwhelmed. And, you gain some control back over your situation.
Here are 9 mini-steps that help you to be less stressed than the others:
#1 Not The Sky Is The Limit
Set clear boundaries for yourself – telling others, No, not taking on the extra project, not going to one more party, not helping yet again a colleague, not being again the driver for all the kids.
#2 Who Is Your Crowd
Surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Negative, complaining, whining people are stressful and rob your energy.
#3 A Small Break, To Break Away
Take small breaks from the office, the shop, the screen in front of you, and the people around you – just for a moment, to collect your thoughts, get some air, move a few steps, and be by yourself.
#4 Sleep Is Not Like Sleep
Despite sleeping seven or eight hours you still wake up tired. This is because you have a mental rest deficit. You have so much going on in your mind that your brain needs a rest too. Take mini breaks in between to recharge your mental batteries.
#5 Organize Your Space, Declutter The Distractions
Ever noticed how less stressed you feel when you don’t see stuff all over the place that constantly catches your eye, annoys, or distracts you?
#6 Take The Stairs, Avoid The Elevator
If possible, take the stairs and ditch the elevator. Your body gets a miniature workout that gets your blood flowing and oxygen going which helps you feel better, physically and mentally – and, you avoid the stressful bad air, chatter, and squeezing in an elevator.
#7 Drive Alone, Instead Of Carpooling
Yes, carpooling saves on travel expenses and on environmental impact. But it doesn't save your nerves. All day you’re exposed to noise, hecticness, chatter, and time pressure which is stressful. Going by yourself in the car offers you one quiet space.
#8 Keep A Note Pad, And You Stay Focused
While working on your computer and trying to focus have a notepad next to you where you can quickly jot down any thoughts. That way you get it out of your head and saved it on paper, and you are less stressed about possibly losing that thought while trying to stay focused.
#9 Learn To Say No, If You Don’t Want To Go
You will be more stressed out by going to a party, dinner, or any kind of gathering you don’t really want to go to as opposed to politely declining the invitation. The No doesn’t mean you don’t respect the other person. It just means that you are not up for it.
Everyone expects from the other that if they change - the situation will improve.
The truth is, if no one is willing to change - then nothing will change.
If everyone continues to blame the other - we will get nowhere.
Start with yourself and you can create little moments of less stress that will impact your overall well-being.