Want to Banish Stress from Your Life Forever? Here Are 7 Powerfully Effective Ways
Research reveals that 77 percent of people regularly experience physical symptoms caused by stress. Take some simple steps to kick stress out of your life once and for all.
We all face stress, it’s a natural part of our lives — both on and off the job. But it’s how we handle it that defines the outcome.
Some people let themselves get overwhelmed and shut down, while others use stress to motivate and push them to greater heights. Without the proper stress management tools, it’s easy to give in and find ourselves overcome by stress.
The good news is that, by applying the following seven steps, you can banish stress from your life — once and for all.
1. Keep an eye on the big picture.
While you may be coming uncomfortably close to a deadline, your lack of progress is not your coworkers’ or employees’ fault. It’s very important to remember what’s most important in your life, and to be aware when you’re blaming others for your problems and then taking it out on those who work for and with you. Sometimes we get so stressed that we blow up, which just causes more stress and drama in our lives. Try to keep things in proportion and you will see your stress level diminish daily.
2. Exercise regularly.
Being active is healthy for the body and the mind. When you’re feeling stressed, take a quick break and go for a walk outside your office. This short interruption will give you a fresh perspective while removing immediate sources of stress. And as an added benefit, the endorphins released in your brain from the physical activity will make you feel better and at peace.
3. Eat healthy.
Sugar crashes are a real thing, and with sugar hiding out in most every kind of processed food, it’s extremely important to be aware of what you put in your body. Start out your mornings with a substantial but healthy breakfast — something along the lines of eggs and vegetables — and be sure to take breaks for lunch no matter how busy your day is. Keeping your brain fueled with healthy foods helps to keep stress from creeping up on you.
4. Keep track of your progress.
Write down how much you’ve accomplished on a project. Keep track of your average progress and make a goal for when you can and will complete it. Through this process, you can truly see how much is left to be done and plan accordingly instead of feeling overwhelmed inside because you aren’t sure how much is left to accomplish.
5. Get organized (and stay organized).
Disorganization in any form causes the brain to feel stressed. Organize your work, your surroundings, and your activities in a way that gives you the most breathing room. If you are sitting in a room of clutter, your brain won’t be able to focus on the task at hand. The more organized you are, the better you feel subconsciously. If you are feeling disorganized, spend 10 minutes a day on organizing different areas of your office and the work itself, and set a schedule for yourself.
6. Be positive and optimistic about the future.
Don’t let yourself hang onto negative thoughts that you won’t accomplish whatever it is that you need to do. Tell yourself that you can and will finish on time, get organized, and get healthy. Make a goal, write it down, and hold yourself accountable.
7. Have fun.
The old saying is work hard, play hard, but if you’re focused on only work and set aside no time for fun, you will get stressed and burned out. Be happy, and spread some of that happiness around. Plan non-working vacations, get togethers with your employees outside of your office, and fun-filled activities for everyone to participate in within your office. You’ll all win — and be less stressed — as a result.
Originally published at https://medium.com on October 18, 2020.
