I think a lot of people would love to experience less stress in their lives. Having less stress makes life feel easier and more enjoyable. But how do you actually reduce stress, especially when your job or boss is stressing you out, or when there are other things in your life causing constant pressure? The truth is, you can’t always remove the source of stress, but there are things you can do to manage it better. Today, I’m sharing a few simple tips to help you feel less stressed.
How to Become Less Stressed
Less screentime
I’m starting with an obvious one: less screen time. And less screen time has several benefits. First of all, when we spend hours on our phones scrolling on TikTok or other social media platforms, our brains have to process a huge amount of information. Everything is available 24/7, so it never really ends. Your social media feed has no stopping point. Because we consume so much information, we get overwhelmed, and that’s when we start to feel stressed.
Another reason why less screen time might be a good idea is that we spend around five hours a day on average on our phones. We literally waste that many hours every day. Imagine how much free time you would have if you weren’t on your phone all the time. And when we have more time for ourselves, we naturally feel more relaxed.
Say ‘ no’ more often
Start saying no to things you don’t want to do or simply don’t have the time for. Everyone has only 24 hours in a day, so you can’t do everything. It might be hard in the beginning to say no to certain people, but it will get easier over time. You don’t have to please everyone around you. You need to do what’s best for you.Yes, you might disappoint a few people, but that’s part of life. Don’t feel guilty about cancelling plans or saying no.
Meditating
You can put two people in the same environment, yet they can have completely different reactions. One might feel stressed, while the other remains calm. Why? Because most of the time, it’s your thoughts that create stress. With the right mindset, you can handle situations better and feel more relaxed.You can improve your mindset by meditating. Start with just five minutes a day and increase it gradually. Meditation helps you understand that you are not your thoughts. Over time, you become better at observing your thoughts and letting them go.
Sleep
After a bad night of sleep, I feel tired and easily irritated. A lot of people underestimate how important it is to get enough sleep every single night. Try to stop looking at screens at least two hours before going to bed. Read a book instead,this can also help you fall asleep faster. Make sure you get enough hours of sleep. Find out what works best for you, because everyone is different. And once you’ve found your ideal sleep routine, try to stick to it, even on the weekends.
Exercise
If you had a stressful day or went through a stressful situation, it’s important to find a way to release that tension. Exercising is a great way to reduce stress. Find a form of movement you actually enjoy, it can even be something as simple as going for a walk.When you exercise, your brain releases feel-good hormones, and it lowers your cortisol levels (the stress hormone). As a result, you’ll start to feel calmer and less stressed.
Hobbies
You can also find ways to release stress that don’t involve exercising. For me, reading really helps. I love escaping into a different world after a long day. Coloring works for me too. But maybe you have a different hobby. And if you don’t have a hobby yet, try to find something you enjoy, something that helps you feel more relaxed, and make time for it more often.
Talk to someone
Find someone you can trust, maybe a professional who can help you. They can give you different perspectives and tools to handle certain situations. Sometimes you simply don’t know how to deal with something, and that’s okay. Another person can offer new insights and help you learn how to handle things in a healthier and more effective way.
Photo by Zachary Kadolph on Unsplash