While it is unlikely that you will ever completely eradicate stress from your life, here are a few tips to help lower your stress level and live a calmer life. Use any of these tips to help bring you to a calmer mindset in the face of a stressful situation.
1. Be honest
Be honest with yourself; about your expectations, about your limitations, and about your abilities. Know yourself; approach every situation with the full knowledge of the person you are and you won't find yourself stressing to fit into someone else's ideal. Be honest with others, and avoid the stress of lying and feeing guilty. Anxiety over getting caught in a lie is a completely avoidable source of stress, so always choose honesty.
2. Plan ahead
There's nothing worse than frantically trying to fit several days worth of work into one morning before you rush out the door. Wake up 15 minutes early so you have an extra moment with yourself to just breathe and think about the day ahead. Maybe that extra time will allow you to head out early and beat traffic; maybe you'll have time for a cup of tea. Planning ahead can also mean preparing for the unexpected- leaving an extra copy of your house key with a friend, or keeping your extra cash in a "rainy day" fund. That way, if you find yourself right in the middle of a potentially very stressful situation- a flat tire, locked out of your house- you can pat yourself on the back for having already planned for it.
3. Look for the positive
Find humor in a crappy situation. Laugh in the face of potential stress, and see how much better just the simple action of laughing makes you feel. When you feel overwhelmed by negativity piling up; pause, and think about as many positive things about your life that you can.
4. Do something nice for someone else
Buy flowers for someone you love, hold a door open, bring an extra bag of bagels into work with you to share with coworkers, smile at the people who pass by you. It's amazing how brightening another person's day can in turn brighten your own.
5. Eat healthy
The foods that you put in your body are reflected in your mood and emotions. Remember that eating healthy foods that fuel your body is a decision that you can think back on and be proud of, rather than being stressed and angry at yourself for giving in to fast food cravings. Don't fall victim to eating/diet trends- every body is different and needs different combinations of vitamins and nutrients. Pay attention to how foods make you feel, and only eat the foods that make you feel fantastic.
6. Stretch/move your body
If you're overwhelmed with stress, trying getting up and taking a walk around the block, or even take a lap around the office. People tend to hold onto a lot of stress in shoulders, hips, and jaw- so roll your shoulders around, stretch your neck by rolling your head side to side, stretch your legs. If you have time to go for a long walk, or bike ride, or to take a yoga class, great! If you don't have that much time, there's always some little movement you can find to let go of some physical tension. Move your body, and notice how much better it feels!
7. Smile
Sometimes something as simple as a smile can be just what you need to brighten your mood. Smiling is contagious, and it's a way to turn around a bad mood that costs you nothing.
8. Breathe
Take whatever time you have, whether its 30 seconds, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or longer. Quiet your mind and focus on making your breath deep, steady, and even. Let go of your mental to-do lists, your worries, your fears, and just breathe. It's amazing how much more focused, creative, and relaxed just a few minutes of meditation can make you. Try it!
Peace to the body
Peace to the mind
Peace to the spirit.
Namaste, yogis!
Rebecca
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