Living Lighter: Practical Insights for Reducing Stress

Reducing Stress in Your Daily Routine

Reducing stress is something that we can all agree is a high priority.  It’s been reported that nearly eight out of every ten American adults are stressed out every day. In other words, roughly seventy-eight percent of the population needs to adopt more stress-eliminating techniques to live a happier life.

Increased cortisol levels due to work, family, or personal life situations contribute to the uncomfortable feeling of stress. While you won’t eliminate stress, you can still adopt strategies or techniques to remove as many stressors as possible.  Here are six tips for eliminating everyday stress:

Track Your Hydration

This is by far one of the most overlooked diagnoses to stress. Put simply, stress is often a symptom of dehydration. So be sure to keep track of your water intake and drink the right amount for your weight each day.

Focus on Your Priorities

Mark out time on your calendar for the things you love to do. Put these activities at the top of your list as much as you can. While you may need to go to work, that doesn’t mean you can’t look forward to something amazing at the end of your day by practicing a hobby or having dinner with a loved one.

Practice Generosity and Gratitude

Performing very simple acts of kindness can go a long way to adjusting your attitude and those around you. Kindness is contagious and provides a great sense of achievement and purpose for all those who make a point of doing it.  When we practice gratitude, the Universe rewards us with many more things to be grateful for.

Be Aware of and Keep Boundaries

Don’t let anyone take advantage of you. Be fully aware of the boundaries of your loved ones, co-workers, or those you deal with consistently. Share your boundaries with them too. There is nothing wrong or selfish about stepping away from toxic relationships.

Stop Being Busy All the Time

Busy does not equal high productivity. Learn to say no more often, and don’t expect too much from yourself every day.

Control Your Sugar Intake

Just like dehydration, sugar can be the silent disruptor. In other words, too much sugar throughout your day can make you feel lethargic, depressed, and uninspired – all leading to high levels of stress. While easier said than done, it is always a great idea to keep track of your sugar and avoid it as much as possible. Your mental and physical health will thank you.

Everyone deals with stress differently. This is why the first approach you try may not always work or create the same results as for your peers. However, mindfulness, and understanding who you are and what you want in life are the first steps to finding the right stress-eliminating activities for you. So, give one of these six tips a try to get started.