Five Good Habits To Adopt For Lowering Stress
Why be unnecessarily stressed? Here are some ways to handle that.
It’s been an interesting time of late, yes?
And by “interesting,” I mean “somewhat stressful” at times.
For the most part, people are pretty good at how they handle tough times. But when it seems like the causes of stress are nonstop with no ease in sight… well…
You really want to take steps to take care of yourself.
Here are five habits you can adopt right away to get a good handle on any stress you’re dealing with.
Take a break from the news
While there may be good news showing up now and then, a lot of the news today still tends to be distressing. Vaccines? Good news! Anti-vaxxers? Bad news. Vaccine skeptics? More bad news. New outbreaks? Jeez.
While it’s important to stay informed, there’s no reason to punish yourself with overdoing it.
Limit yourself to 10 minutes of morning news and maybe another 10 in the afternoon. If something happens you must know about that wasn’t covered in those 20 minutes, someone will let you know.
Until then, why not try some music instead?
Neaten your workspace
Take some time to tidy up your workspace. Put things away if not being used and give surfaces a quick wipedown. Don’t forget to give a quick wipe to the monitors and keyboards as well.
Cleaning your work area helps redirect stress, and the end result of an orderly desk or workstation can have a calming effect — making you feel refreshed, energized, and less stressed out. A messy area is a distraction you don’t need.
Treat yourself
Binge watch a TV show you’ve always wanted to see. Have a game night with family and friends. Go get a massage. Sit down to your favorite meal with your favorite people.
Whatever your self-indulgence, go ahead and enjoy. You’ve earned it.
Don’t go hog-wild. Dealing with hangovers or upset stomachs will not lower your stress, but taking some time out to spoil yourself can go a long way in making you feel better about things.
Go for a walk
This one has been my standard go-to lately.
When work — either my paid word or some of the housework — get me stressed out, I go out for a walk. Sometimes I take the dog with me. I’m fortunate enough to live where there are some tree-shaded streets, but even when I lived in the city, a good walk always perked me up and calmed me down at the same time.
Even prisoners get yard time. Do you deserve any less?
Hang out with someone
Sometimes solitude can be a source of unnecessary stress.
When you’re not sure why you’re feeling down or short-tempered, try reaching out to a friend or family member for something you can do together. It might be just sitting outside the local coffee shop. It might be going to a movie. It could be a walk. It could be nearly anything. (Don’t rob banks. Robbing banks is super stressful.)
The idea is to relax in the company of another. We, as humans, are social animals. Too much time alone can be unhealthy.
Touch base with someone else who might be doing too much of the loner thing and see what you can do together for a little while.
Simple solutions for stress
Stress doesn’t have to rule your life.
Sure, things seem challenging at times, but things can also get better. Hold on to that concept and try some of the above suggestions for lowering stress. None are complicated. They don’t even have to cost you money.
Just maybe a little time.
But this is time for yourself.
And you’re worth it. You’ve earned it.
It’s your time.
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