Stress is undeniable, it creeps into our everyday life even when we aren’t asking for it. Here’s a list of ways to manage stress as well as some things you should eliminate to start living a stress-free life!
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How To Manage Stress
Time management
Nothing is more stressful than not having enough time to complete all of the tasks you have to do. Making sure you give yourself enough time in the day is really important! If this means having to wake up a little bit earlier, then do so. Practicing time management helps me to get a lot more done throughout the day which leads to a stress-free me! I used to be one who would sleep in forever and then stress over not having the time to clean or do my grocery shopping. Making sure to plan your time wisely is a must for a stress free life.
Related: How to Stay Organized & Productive
30 Minutes of cleaning a day
This makes my life a lot less stressful. Nothing is more stressful than a messy house. I don’t know about you, but when my laundry starts to pile up I begin to get anxious. I like to set a timer and clean as much as I can within 30 minutes. Doing this daily will make your life a lot less hectic. Plus a clean space equals a clear mind!
Make lists
Sometimes you can get stressed out if you have too much to do. Making lists can help keep you focused and organized. It helps to lessen the stress of the everyday hustle and bustle. I personally find making lists very therapeutic. I like to make grocery lists, to do lists, chore lists, idea lists, really any kind of list!
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Declutter the negativity
Toxic relationships and negative people have stress written all over them. Eliminating all negativity from your life will create a stress-free environment. Sometimes we can feel guilty about cutting people out of our lives, but sometimes it’s necessary.
Disconnect from technology
I know it’s difficult because let’s face it, in this day and age almost everyone is glued to their cell phone. Social media is actually known to cause a lot of stress. If you disconnect even for a day you will feel a sense of relief.
Stress balls
I admit it, squeezing a stress ball helps. If you struggle with stress and anxiety you can manage this by getting a stress ball to squeeze.
Yoga and meditation
I know I am constantly repeating myself with this whole yoga and meditation ordeal but it’s been a huge help when it comes to managing my stress! The combination of the two has helped put my mind at ease.
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Step outside
Get that vitamin D and step outside. Sunlight helps not only with depression and anxiety but with stress management as well. Go outside, get some fresh air, and soak up the sun.
Budget plan
This is my #1 go-to for a stress free lifestyle. Financial stress is the worst kind of stress out there. There is nothing worse than living pay check to pay check each week. Nothing worse than worrying if you are going to have enough money to pay your bills on time. With a budget plan you KNOW you will be able to pay your bills on time and you will even see how much money you can have left over. Starting a budget plan each month helped reduce so much of my stress. I wish I did it sooner. I share some of my favorite budgeting tips here.
Get a massage
Stress can cause built up tension in your muscles. Getting a massage helps to loosen the tension and reduce stress. It’s a plus that massages are also relaxing and make you feel amazing in general. Everyone should treat themselves to one.
Prepare for your day in advance
Remember when you would get so excited for your first day back to school that you would plan out your outfit and everything the night before. You should do this every night. Think about what you need to do to get ready for the day that’s ahead of you. Plan your day out the night before. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being prepared. If you are prepared then you have no reason to stress.
Get lots of sleep
It’s important that you rest if you want to eliminate stress. If your body is tired then you will have no energy to want to get anything done and chances are you might push important tasks off to the side. Not to mention sleep is important for good health as well. 7-8 hours is the perfect amount.
Related: How to have a perfect night’s sleep
Use a planner
A perfect tool to use when it comes to managing stress is a planner. This falls with planning your days in advance. If you have an important appointment coming up make sure to write it in your planner. You can use your planner to plan out your day too.
I love my Bloom Daily Planner
Focus on what you can control
I find often that we focus more on what we CAN’T control rather than what we CAN control and this can cause a lot of stress. Unfortunately we can’t control everything, but if we focus on what we can control instead then maybe we can simplify our life and relieve the stress that is caused when trying to control what is out of our control.
Let go of the past
This is part of the “things you can’t control” category. The past is the past and we should leave it there. You can’t change it, so stop stressing over it. Move on and live in the present and you will feel a weight lifted off of your shoulders.
Think positively & spread kindness
If you have a more positive and kind mindset you will soon notice that positivity will be flowing out of your veins. Hopefully your positivity will rub off on others too!
Exercise
Exercising gets your blood pumping and can relieve stress! This is a fact that many already know, but had to add it in there.
These are some of the ways I have managed and controlled my stress. I hope these tips help for you as well!
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This article is so useful! I know I get a lot of stress with college and I’ll be sure to try some of these methods next semester.
i’m glad you liked it ! thank you (:
Thank you! The best way to manage stress is to keep things under control. That’s why I make a schedule and try to follow it. An organized life gives the lowest possible stressors. But still, things can’t always go according to plan. One day we’re overworked, another day there are contingencies. And stress, one way or another, is part of our lives. So we have to be able to relax after a hard day.
Meditation as well as a warm bath are my favorite ways to reload. I also like essential oils – in the form of candles or atomizers. Perhaps that single oil will not help to relieve stress, but it is a good addition to relaxation techniques. Information about what oils can help I have found in this rather useful article: https://www.diffusingthetension.com/what-you-can-do-to-relieve-stress/ Among the additional ways here is also named journaling, although I am not a fan of writing down my thoughts. For me, the best way to overcome stress is to keep it from occurring.
Hi Ell,
I have multiple sclerosis and stress figures very highly on the list of aggravating factors. So, I was delighted to stumble upon your wonderful blog post.
And you are right, I do need to declutter the negativity and disconnect from technology, which is tricky while I am sitting at my computer responding to your blog post.
However, another sip of coffee and I can wrap this up. Keep up the postive thoughts and encouraging words
Thank you so much and I am sending positive vibes your way!! So glad to hear my post has helped a bit. You are too kind!