Stress is a part of life, and it’s something we’re going to deal with every now and then. When you begin to deal with stress on a regular basis, however, it can take a toll on your overall health and well-being. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce stress and rejuvenate your mind by consistently implementing the four-step system outlined in this article. If you practice stress reduction regularly, the effects will eventually become more than just temporary. In fact, practicing the four-steps outlined here could actually help you live a healthier life in the long run, trust me, they work!
Step 1: Take a break from stress
This may seem obvious, but many people forget to take a break from stress. The most important thing you can do to reduce your stress level is to take a break from whatever is stressing you out. While it might be tempting to dive headfirst into your stressed-out life in an effort to solve all your problems, you’ll probably be far more successful if you take a break. When you take a break from whatever is stressing you out, you’ll give yourself a chance to catch your breath and think more clearly about what is stressing you out. When you do this, you’ve set yourself up for greater success in the long run. So what should you do during your break from stress? Take a walk. Go for a drive. Relax with a good book or some relaxation music. Do something that allows you to be physically active but also free your mind.
Step 2: Do something you enjoy
One of the best ways to relieve stress is to simply engage in the thing you enjoy the most. Something we’ve all been told since we were kids is that we have to choose a career we enjoy so we can avoid a life of stress. Now, we don’t necessarily want to choose a career that’s so enjoyable that it’s stressful, but you do want to choose something you genuinely enjoy. What’s great about this type of stress relief is that it doesn’t have to be a “full-time” job — you can do it in your spare time. How can you incorporate this type of stress relief into your life? It could be something as simple as reading an entire book in one sitting or watching your favorite set of movies in a row. It could also be something as dramatic as going on a vacation or even getting a significant other or friend involved in a hobby or activity that you enjoy doing together.
Step 3: Find your inner relaxation warrior
Once you’ve taken a break from stress, engaged in something you enjoy and found your relaxation warrior, it’s time to take the next step. Your relaxation warrior can be anyone or anything. It could be a song, a place or a certain breathing pattern you adopt. What makes your relaxation warrior so important is that it acts as an anchor in your mind. Anchors are used to keep boats or ships from moving too quickly — they’re used to anchor a person’s mind to something that might be more enjoyable, like breathing or a song.
Step 4: Restore balance and rest
In order to live a happier, healthier life, you need to make time for rest. In order to get the most out of your rest time, though, you need to find the right balance between “resting” and “restoring balance.” What you want to do with your rest time is make sure you take time for “resting” as well as “restoring balance.” Resting time can be as simple as taking a break from your daily routine and doing something that allows you to relax. Resting time can also be as dramatic as getting a massage or even taking a vacation.
Stress is something that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. Many people mistake stress for being anxious or scared, but it’s actually a normal part of life when it comes to facing difficulties. The key to reducing stress is to take breaks from it and find something you enjoy doing. It’s also important to restore balance and rest during your down times. You are a much better version of yourself when you rest.
This year is about ease and flow for me, what about you?
