It is crucial that you prioritise relaxing and reducing stress to protect your mental health, and there are numerous things you can do to help you achieve that goal. In fact, we should chill out more.
“Being busy became such a trend, as though busy equated success — now freedom and flexibility are the symbols of success. It is just hard for people to chill out when their systems are programmed to be going nonstop and working nonstop. But, hey - it takes only a minute or two to down-regulate the system to actually reduce stress and chill out.”
While many of us want to reduce the stress in our lives, we are not always sure how to go about doing so. Right? Here are share few ways to chill out and find that balance again :)
1. Mindfulness
Keeping yourself in the present moment can go a long way toward helping you lower stress, anxiety, and even depression as well as help you get better sleep and establish a better sense of well-being. Mindfulness is something that everyone can learn and practice anywhere at any time. So, do it - practise it ;).
2. Outdoors
There are many health benefits from spending time in nature. Even a view of nature helps us feel better and can improve our mood. Be sure to get your 'outdoor time', taking walks, go for a bike ride, do some gardening or doing something else you enjoy. Nature-deficit disorder is real - It is (trust me on this one)! Whatever you choose, just be sure to spend time outside and in nature, take a few deep breaths and you will instantly feel better.
3. Set the intention
The first part of making your life less hectic is to set the intention that you are going to chill out. Setting the intention (I like to lay down on sofa, although I do not consider myself as a couch potato, I still enjoy it very much when I do so ;)) will get you to formulate your thoughts, plans, and goals. Determine what you want, what you will do to make it happen, and what you want the outcome to be. Planning is your first step to succeed in anything you want to. Setting goals and prioritise things you love and enjoy doing.
4. Connect with your friends in person
Getting together with people we enjoy being around helps us laugh, feel connected, and make us happier. Call your friends you like to be around and meet up on a regular basis. If you don’t feel comfortable being in person in this 'weird' times, you sure can create a private online events, talks, meetings - Just something is better than nothing, right? :)
5. Schedule free time
With the busy lives that people live today it may be necessary to put free time on the schedule. This way it will be a part of your plan and you will have to give it your attention. Don’t let other things crowd out your scheduled free time. Never! Take your time. (and for the dog too :D).
And remember “You can’t continue to put off reducing your hectic and stressful lifestyle,” ;). Having a more relaxing life with less stress takes being proactive and making some changes. You will have to put work into it (although some of it may seem counterintuitive), but let me tell you - what you get back is beyond rewarding.
Until next time, S.
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