If the hustle, bustle, and challenges of everyday life are making your stress levels inch up each day, you must find a way to break free! Holding onto the stresses of yesterday will simply add to the tension of today and tomorrow. Soon the amount of pressure you carry around inside you from this stress may become unbearable.

You work hard to provide a good life for your family, but stress can prevent you from enjoying that life. Don't allow stress and worries to rob you of the happiness you deserve!

Follow these easy strategies to help you banish daily worries and stress:

 1. Identify the sources of stress in your life

Are you worried about an upcoming deadline at work? Do you have looming financial worries? Is your family going through a difficult time? Once you know what is causing your stress, you can start to take steps to reduce or eliminate it. Many of us go through life without taking the time to identify the sources of stress in our lives.

We often assume that we know what is causing our stress, and as a result, we don't take the time to step back and assess the situation. This can lead to us feeling even more stressed, as we try to cope with the demands of our lives without understanding what is really causing our discomfort. If you are struggling to cope with stress, it is important to take the time to identify the sources of stress in your life. 

• Money worries can stem from a lack of income, financial difficulties, or struggling to make ends meet.
• Work or school pressures arise when there are unsteady workloads or deadlines looming ahead.
• Health concerns come from physical or mental health issues that you may be dealing with alone or with a medical professional.
• Relationship issues occur due to disagreements within families and friendships.
• Daily hassles such as traffic jamsand even being overscheduled can contribute greatly to stress levels over time.

Knowing what triggers your stress can help you begin the journey of addressing each issue and managing your overall wellbeing!

If you are struggling to identify the source of your stress, consider talking to a counselor or therapist. They can help you explore the factors that may be causing you distress and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Once you have identified the sources of your stress, you can then start to look for ways to reduce or eliminate them. There are many different ways to do this, but some common methods include relaxation techniques, exercise, and journaling. Taking the time to identify the sources of stress in your life is an important first step in managing your stress levels.  

Remember, managing stress is a key part of maintaining your overall health and wellbeing.

2. Find healthy ways to cope with stressful situations

If a particular situation is causing you a lot of stress, try to see if there’s anything you can do to make it less stressful. For example, if you’re worried about a work deadline, see if you can break the project down into smaller tasks so it’s not as overwhelming. If work is a major source of stress, we might try to cut back on overtime or take a more active role in choosing our assignments.

This might mean learning to recognize early warning signs of stress in yourself or others, and taking steps to avoid or diffuse potential sources of conflict. It can also be helpful to cultivate a support network of family and friends who you can rely on for emotional stability and positive distraction.

Additionally, developing healthy coping mechanisms such as regular exercise, journaling, or deep breathing can help you to better manage stress when it does arise. By being mindful of the things that trigger your stress, you can take steps to protect yourself from unnecessary anxiety and build resilience in the face of life's challenges.

3. Learn how to relax and de-stress through breathing exercises, yoga, or meditation

There are many different ways to relax and de-stress. Some people find that deep breathing exercises help them to relax. Others find that yoga or meditation helps them to clear their minds and reduce stress. Find what works for you and make it a part of your daily routine.

Breathing Exercises To Get You Started

Breathing exercises are incredibly beneficial for our health and wellbeing. From helping to reduce stress to regulating the nervous system, there is so much that can be gained from taking just a few moments out of our day for some mindful breathing. An example of an easy breathing exercise involves lying down on your back, focusing on your breath, and inhaling and exhaling deeply as you count up to five. Don’t worry if it feels strange or awkward at first – with practice, this simple exercise can help to increase concentration, focus, and relaxation within just a few minutes each day.

Another easy breathing exercise you could take part in is abdominal breathing. To do this, sit in a comfortable position and put one hand on your chest and the other just below your ribcage. Begin by inhaling for up to five seconds into your lower abdomen, allowing it to expand outward and then exhale slowly through pursed lips or with a slight sound like "haaa" for several seconds until all the air is out of your body. Feel how soothing this exercise can be as each breath helps to draw further relaxation into your body.

4. Exercise regularly to release endorphins and improve your mood

Exercise is important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but it can be difficult to find the time to fit it into our busy schedules. Luckily, there are some easy exercises that can be done in just 30 minutes a day. Brisk walking, jogging, cycling, and swimming are all great exercises that can be done in a short amount of time. And they don't require any special equipment or membership fees - all you need is a good pair of shoes and somewhere to go. 

Some simple exercises you can do include things like jumping jacks, sit-ups, push-ups, and squats. If you want to add a little bit of cardio to the mix, you can try running in place or jump rope. And there's no need to go overboard - just a moderate pace will do.

Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and improve your mood. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. Exercise also helps to reduce stress hormones like cortisol. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.

 

5. Eat a healthy diet with plenty of whole foods, fruits, and vegetables to support your body and mind

Eating a healthy diet is important for both your physical and mental health. Make sure to include plenty of whole foods, fruits, and vegetables in your diet. These foods are packed with nutrients that can help reduce stress and improve mood.

While there is no such thing as a "stress-free" diet, there are certain foods that can help to reduce stress levels. For example, salmon is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to promote relaxation, reduce inflammation and improve mood.  Other good choices include blueberries, which are rich in antioxidants, and avocados, which contain stress-reducing B vitamins.

Other nutrients that can help the body reduce stress include magnesium, vitamin C, and probiotics. Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kimchi contain beneficial bacteria that help to promote gut health and improve the body's ability to absorb nutrients. In addition, foods like dark chocolate and green tea contain antioxidants that can help to protect the body from the harmful effects of stress.

In addition, oatmeal is a complex carbohydrate that helps to regulate blood sugar levels, preventing the highs and lows that can contribute to feelings of anxiety. Ultimately, by including these stress-reducing foods in your diet, you can help to keep your body and mind healthy during times of stress.

6. Ask for help

 

If you're constantly running on empty, your mind, body, and soul will suffer the repercussions of your tenacity. There's no shame in asking for a helping hand. Sometimes, you'll be able lean on a spouse, coworker, or friend, but other times you may have to hire help.

• If your mounting responsibilities are barely allowing you the necessary time to eat and sleep, you may have too much on your plate. Streamline your responsibilities by creating a time-effective plan for crossing the items off of your to-do list in less time.

• Most people are delighted to be needed and will be more than willing to help you. If housework is the culprit of your stress, divide the tasks equally amongst the family members in your household. Assign specific tasks on certain days to prevent yourself from becoming overwhelmed by the thought of keeping a tidy home.

7.  Create structure and stick to it.

A hectic, unorganized lifestyle is a breeding ground for stress. If you don't have some type of structure in place, your life will quickly become unmanageable. One of the most important things you can do to reduce stress is to organize your day. By taking a few minutes to plan your activities, you can make sure that you don't waste time scrambling to figure out what to do next.

Instead, you can devote your attention to the task at hand and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

There are a few different ways to go about organizing your day. One option is to create a To-Do list. This can help you prioritize your tasks and make sure that you don't forget anything important.

Another option is to set a daily schedule. This can be especially helpful if you have a lot of appointments or commitments. Try to schedule some down time for yourself – even if it’s just 15 minutes – to relax and rejuvenate. By blocking off time for each activity, you can make sure that you don't miss anything or run late.

Finally, it's also a good idea to take some time at the end of each day to plan for the next day. This way, you can start your day with a clear idea of what needs to be done and avoid feeling stressed from the moment you wake up. If you take the time to organize your day, you'll find that it's much easier to keep stress at bay.

8. Set aside time for yourself.

What do you enjoy doing? Knitting, relaxing in a bubble bath, gardening, drawing, lounging in bed watching your favorite reruns? 

Carve out a few hours each weekend to indulge in your favorite relaxing activity. Choose at least one weeknight to relax after work. Sitting in a candlelit bubble bath while listening to your favorite music and reading a magazine is an effective treatment for washing the day's stresses away.

Gardening offers an accessible way to reduce stress and anxiety, making it an attractive stress-reduction activity for many people. Research suggests that taking the time to tend to a garden can be particularly effective in reducing stress levels, as gardening helps to stimulate creativity and provide a sense of joy and satisfaction.

During times of stress, spending time outside has been shown to have a calming effect and even physical benefits such as improved circulation. Starting a garden is simple and easy, so anyone can give it a try! It gives us something constructive to do with our hands while giving us the opportunity to get some much-needed fresh air. As with anything else, patience is key when learning how to start a garden, but with dedication and effort the rewards are usually worth it.

Refrain from feeling selfish for taking time for yourself. You may be a busy professional, a spouse, a parent and have a home to maintain all at the same time; however, taking two hours now to de-stress will save you from going into overdrive and possibly stressing out your loved ones later. To learn more about how gardening or even visiting gardens is good for your mental health check out: Why Garden Whimsy Is Important For Your Mental Health

9. Socialize!

Making time for socializing with friends and family is a vital aspect of managing your stress levels. Friends and family make you laugh and provide you with a shoulder to lean on. This, in itself, will deplete your stress levels exponentially.

• If possible, designate one day per week (like Sundays) to spend time with extended family and friends. You could host a neighborhood barbeque in your backyard, host a Sport Sunday gathering, or simply have coffee with your closest pals.

• Living far away from friends and family can truly dampen your ability to socialize. You can meet friends at church, neighborhood gatherings, at the park with your kids, or on the community meeting site, to find a group of like-minded folks.

• When hosting events in your home, avoid fretting about the details. This will counteract your efforts to de-stress! Have a simple plan, such as using paper plates, napkins and plastic utensils for easy cleanup. Perhaps you can order pizza rather than cooking.

Stress seems like a normal part of life, but it doesn't have to be that way if you're willing to put your sanity first. Most of the time there's a simple fix to the challenges that are causing you stress. Try to readjust the way you perceive the issues and how you address them. Both beauty and stress are in the eye of the beholder!

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