Stress. It’s everywhere.
In the modern world, we experience immense amounts of stimuli. We are constantly being assaulted with notifications and bids for our attention.
While these minute intrusions may not seem like much, they add up. The constant diversions make it hard for us to keep our focus and wear down our batteries, leaving us overwhelmed and worried.
On top of that, there are tons of daily to-dos. We have to work long hours at complex physically or mentally demanding jobs.
When we finally get home, we may have housework that needs doing or family that needs our attention.
All of this leaves us stressed out.
Stress not only eats into our subjective enjoyment, but it also comes with a host of negative mental and physical side-effects.
That’s why it’s crucial that we reduce our stress levels whenever possible. This article provides three easy ways to do just that.
1: Set a Consistent Bed Time
In our work-obsessed culture, sleep deprivation is often worn as a badge of honor. People are quick to brag about their lack of sleep, convinced that it’s a sign of their superior work ethic and willingness to sacrifice.
While it may prove that you’re willing to sacrifice your subjective well-being to get work done, sleep deprivation doesn’t actually make you any more productive.
In fact, the opposite is true. Lacking sleep can make it harder to concentrate, make you slower at cognitive tasks, and make you more prone to errors in your work.
This means your lack of sleep just makes your job harder, meaning that the extra hours you earned are washed out in the equation.
But your stress levels aren’t evened out. Being sleep-deprived makes you more emotionally turbulent and increases the amounts of stress hormones in your body.
This can be avoided though. Setting a consistent bedtime has a few key sleep benefits.
For starters, going to bed at the same time ensures you get adequate rest every night. Setting a strict bedtime means you know you’ll be in bed in time to get 8 hours of rest.
Additionally, going to bed at the same time keeps your circadian rhythm consistent, meaning you get more restful sleep.
This can seriously reduce your stress levels in both the short and long term.
2: Get Outside
Going for a walk is an incredibly easy way to reduce your stress. Walks help you manage your stress in a few ways.
For one, walking itself helps reduce stress. Physical activity helps your body regulate itself and releases neurotransmitters that have been linked to elevated mood.
Walking outside is particularly beneficial though. Being around nature, seeing plants and sunshine, these things also help raise your mood and increase your sense of well-being.
You don’t need to go on an epic hike to get these benefits either. A simple ten-minute stroll during your lunch break is enough to reduce your stress.
3: Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness refers to being present and wholly engaging with the task at hand. One of the most common forms of mindfulness practice is meditation, but mindfulness can be incorporated into almost any part of your day.
There are many wonderful things about mindfulness.
Mindfulness has been directly linked to lower stress levels. When you are entirely present, you avoid worrying about the future or ruminating over the past. Everything in the present is manageable, and thus, staying in the present helps you feel less stressed.
Mindfulness at work can be particularly powerful. It can help you boost productivity, reduce performance anxiety, and bring your best ideas to your projects, helping you get more done with less perceived effort.
For these reasons, mindfulness is one of the simplest and most effective stress management tools.
Conclusion
The modern world is rife with stressors, but that doesn’t mean you have to succumb to stress. Incorporating these three stress management tips into your daily routine can help you feel better and live a longer, happier life.
