Simple Living could just as easily be called "Low Stress Living", or "Slow Living". This increasingly popular lifestyle has a focus on less work, fewer responsibilities, and reducing the financial burden of busyness.
After a while, the high-pressure, high-stress life fades away and you enter a STRESS FREE ZONE. Your shoulders drop, and you begin to live in the moment. You have more time for you, your family, and your community.
Not only that, but as you continue to live a less stressful life, the healthy habits you develop will lead to lowered reactivity toward stress, and a less-intense stress response.
No more crying over spilled milk! A less-intense stress response increases your sense of control, which further reduces stress levels.
There are many healthy habits we can adopt to reduce our stress levels, while increasing feelings of well-being and happiness.
Stress-Busting Strategies
If you find yourself getting upset practice letting it go. Make the decision not to get angry - sound anger management reduces stress.
Practice deep breathing. Breathe slowly for several breaths and feel your muscles relax.
If you feel overwhelmed by stress, try speaking more slowly than usual. By slowing down you will feel more in control, think more clearly, and react more reasonably to stressful situations.
Don't put things off. Procrastination is a huge stress inducer. Chose one simple thing you have been putting off and do it today. Enjoy the feeling you get when you cross it off your list.
Go for a walk outdoors, preferably in nature. Don't be deterred by the weather, just get out there and feel rejuvenated.
Drink enough water, eat enough calories, and get at least 8 hours of sleep. Hunger, dehydration, and drowsiness, before you are even aware of them, can cause feelings of anxiety and stress.
Maintain proper posture. Poor posture leads to muscle tension, pain, and increased stress.
Reward yourself at the end of the day. Take a relaxing bath, or set aside an hour with a good book. Put aside everything else and take the time to fully relax.
- adapted from: source.
NBA wishes you a slow, simple, and less stressful life. Do you have a stress-busting strategy that works for you? If so, please share in comments.
My pups (two mini-dachshunds) are the best stress-busters I know of! Their joy and hilariousness are the best way for me to let go of the residual stress I carry home from work; their enthusiasm for LIFE wakes me up and pulls me into the now. A cup of tea, a good book, or time with a friend also mellows me out. Stress is such a wasteful energy -- and so much of it is cultural conditioning (when asked how they are, I find so many people exasperatingly say "Busy!!"). Who needs that? The payoff sucks!
ReplyDeletePets can be awesome - they live in the moment.
DeleteGotta watch out for that cultural conditioning as it is all pervasive - it is hard to know where the conditioning ends and we begin. But being less busy is certainly one way to start figuring it all out.
You have come to the exact same conclusion we have concerning the busy life - "The payoff sucks!" So true.