It is absolutely no shock that life can be stressful these days – and more than ever, right? Many individuals underestimate how much of a problem stress can create for their mental, physical and emotional health. If you are feeling some self-doubt, engaging in “doom scrolling,” struggling to focus, procrastinating more frequently and perhaps feeling less happy, then most likely the reason is stress, according to Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, a Harvard Medical School physician.
Rarely is it ideal or healthy to continuously loop day in and day out in survival mode, yet, that type of chronic stress exists. Experts report that 7 out of 10 people currently live in a constant state of stress. Think of all those nonstop phone notifications, adverse travel conditions, the “more, more, more” mentality/expectation experienced at some jobs when workers are already feeling burned out, rising gas and grocery costs, endless to-do lists, mounting projects and all the other stressors we can be exposed to—and drained by—each day in our personal and professional lives and all that lies in-between.
For most, a primary goal is longevity in this world with loved ones, so it would be great if at any age, and especially as we age, if our stress levels could shrink. The good news is, they can!
Here are tips and strategies for shrinking your stress and reclaiming more peace in your daily life.
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Walk More
Often stress pops up unexpectedly throughout our days and the easiest, most effective way to try to battle it away is by walking. Walking seems so basic, and helps us physically in many ways, yet it can also prove beyond powerful for mental health because it purges tension and releases endorphins that ultimately improve your mood. If you are confused about something, walk. Upset about something? Walk. Trying to process something? Walk. Worried about our changing world? Walk. Feeling like you are stuck in a rut? Walk. Overthinking a relationship or something a friend, family member or co-worker said? Walk. Overall, if life, work, family obligations or all of the above has you stressed out…walk! You may not solve something completely or work entirely through a particular issue, but the extra steps can at least help manage emotions in a healthy way and set some of that stress free!
2. Let Them…and then Let YOU.
The Let Them Theory by widely-acclaimed author Mel Robbins offers such invaluable advice about not allowing others to deprive you of your time, peace, energy or joy. She reminds us of our innate ability to protect our personal power; it lies in our reaction to stress or chaos. In other words, let others say what they want and think what they want to think and be whoever they want to be; you can choose to not absorb their attitude and behavior. Don’t let the long line at the store ruin your mood, or for that co-worker with the sour attitude and shrill, annoying voice to put a damper on your day, or for the road-rager with a dented SUV honking his horn and cutting vehicles off to rattle you or for a family member’s advice to be interpreted by you as a personal attack.
“Let them” is the mantra designed for you to reject unnecessary stress caused by others or random events. When you release the need to try to manage other people’s moods, opinions or perspectives, you can allow yourself to be more open to less stress and anxiety, better focus and a heightened mood. So essentially let them be any way they want—grumpy, rude, doubtful, inconsiderate—but let YOU maintain your power, protect your peace and start shrinking your stress!
3. Sleep like it’s your job.
I have said it before and I will die on this hill; sleep is beyond crucial to maintaining improved physical, mental and emotional health. Without good sleep, individuals can become all emotional gas pedal and no brake, allowing their stress, emotions and angst to spill over into everything and onto everyone. We don’t want that! We need sleep to regulate our mood, boost our energy, spur our productivity, enhance our interpersonal relations…all of it. Most of life’s battles happen in our own heads; we are constantly fighting how we think about things. Without quality sleep, the ability to cope with everyday stressors proves even more challenging. Prioritize sleep, and you will see you can positively improve your everyday outlook and experiences.
4. Conduct a life audit
Sit down and create an honest assessment of your happiness level overall and with your career, relationships, health, travel, fitness, nutrition, sleep, goals, etc. When you take the time to reflect and recognize your strengths as well as your growth edges, you can be better equipped to make any necessary changes; your quality of life is key. During this audit you can also take a step back to remind yourself of what truly matters each day. You woke up, you have your loved ones, you have your health, you have purpose, you have resources….whatever happened yesterday doesn’t matter, other people’s opinions surely do not matter, age is just a number and anything you failed at before does not define you now. You can keep moving forward, stacking wins and enhancing your overall health.
5. Create. Move. Breathe.
We were meant to create; not just sit and scroll or binge watch television. We were meant to move and appreciate our bodies. We were meant to take a deep breath and look around at the sky and the grass and the beauty around us. Remember that your habits are also observed by your children and those around you; demonstrate being active, unplugging once in a while, enjoying nature and being present for others. When we do more creating, moving and breathing, we can reduce our stress as well as be more pleasant and inspiring to those around us.
“Middle-aged” these days is now considered age 38; 38! That means statistically the average age people live to is about 77, showing us once again life is indeed too short. When individuals find themselves getting worked up about things, perhaps take a moment to remember that it’s not a big deal unless you make it a big deal, and chronic stress is not a badge of honor.
