How To Reduce Stress and Be Happy

Anything taken too much is bad for the health. A little stress is actually good, as it can serve to help you function at your best. However, too much stress can take a physical as well as mental toll on your body. Stress should be managed in order for depression or anxiety to be prevented.

So how should you do it then? The following are tips and advice to help manage and reduce stress…

 

Write it out, schedule it out.

It is best to write down everything that seems to be overwhelming. You will find a things-to-do-list much easier to manage than having all your to-do’s whizzing around in your head. Writing down the tasks and putting a specific schedule and time to do them (prioritising), helps you manage activities one chunk at a time. Crossing out an activity that has been accomplished is very rewarding and could actually help you feel more relaxed.

 

One at a time.

Focus and put all your attention specifically on one task at one time.  It does not help to feel panicky about the other undone or to-do tasks. Thinking about them only adds unnecessary stress and could even hamper in doing the task you are attempting to accomplish at present.

 

Relax and take it slow.

Try not to expend too much energy on activities that are currently not priorities. This is in order for your energy to be not easily expended on the tasks that are not that important, at least for now.

 

Delegate, delegate, delegate.

You do not need to do everything all at once. And you do not need to do everything on your own. Ask for help, get help, or pay for help.  When there is a feeling of being overwhelmed that is cropping up, hire someone to mow the lawn or get a sitter for your children. The feeling of being pressed to finish something on time will somehow be eliminated if tasks are delegated. It takes a load off of unnecessary worry and anxiety from you. Moreover, it is easier checking up on how things are, than worrying yourself sick doing everything on your own, all at once.

 

Give yourself a reward.

You deserve it. Acknowledging your accomplishments, no matter how big or small is an effort that is necessary before getting onto the next tasks and activities. It reduces stress and could even make you happier in doing the next task.

 

Give yourself a break.

You need it to be more productive. A ten to fifteen minute break during your work is necessary. Go for a walk, sit out in the garden, have a cuppa, or do anything to put your mind off work, at least for a bit. This is necessary to refresh and recharge. Believe it or not, you can also stay in your work area and sit with your eyes closed as you visualize a peaceful landscape or a relaxing scene. This frees the stress from your muscles and your mind.

Doing so makes you healthier, happier, and a lot more productive.