Easy Tips for De-Stressing Your Life

Let's face it - life is more stressful these days. There are more demands on our time, energy and wallet and sometimes it gets overwhelming. The following tips are ways I've found to keep sane during insane times.

1.
Organize Your Space - De-clutter, toss the junk mail, throw out what you don't need, donate clothing and other items to charity, etc.

2.
Don't Put Off Until Tomorrow What You Can Do Today - Get done what needs to be done. From personal experience I've found that if I keep putting off a task I can't get away from it and the more unpleasant that task becomes. Make a to do list and put the most unpleasant item first and do it. That way is it out of the way and the rest of list seems easy!

3.
Give Yourself An Extra Five Minutes - My mother hated to be late and I was more casual about showing up early or even on time. After I had my daughter and had two people to get ready, I realized I couldn't have my leisurely attitude and expect to be on time - I wasn't even five minutes late, it was more like fifteen! In order to get to the places I needed to be, I found that if I gave myself just five extra minutes it saved me a lot of stress.

4.
Detox - Keep hydrated! I can tell when my body needs water - I'm tired and sluggish. Increasing or keeping up my water intake not only energizes me but flushes the stress away.

5.
Stretch - It doesn't have to be yoga, just stand up raise your arms over your head or reach behind your back and stretch. You'll be relaxing your muscles, releasing tension and replacing it with energy.

6.
Limit Your News Intake - Whether it's local or national the news is dominated by negative stories and your psyche needs a break. Turn on music instead.

7.
Go to Bed a Half Hour Earlier Than Usual - Even if you don't fall asleep but choose to read instead you'll be signaling your body that it's time to end the day and relax.

8.
Stop and Smell the Roses - When things get overwhelming stop, close your eyes and take a deep breath (or two). If you work close the office door, shut off the lights and close your eyes for a few minutes. Refresh your soul.

Individually these tips many seem trite and simple but put in to practice, over time the benefits will begin to add up. The results for me were learning how to cope with my daily stresses, listening to my body and realizing when it was time to take a break. An added benefit was that my reading increased from maybe one book a year to one approximately every two months. Less stress and a return to a relaxing past time - what could be better than that?