Stress and daily living are somewhat synonymous. Unfortunately, there is little you can do to eliminate stress completely, however there are many ways that you can work towards decreasing it across the board. One important thing to remember is that the stresses of daily life are quite different than the stresses that accompany an unexpected event or a critical situation. Having said that, since you will never be able to strategize how to not stress over emergencies, it is a better use of your time and energy to focus on your day to day and how each choice and move you make can either move you closer to, or further from, stress.
Planning
If you are not someone who is naturally organized, and things like lists, planners, and obligations make you feel chaotic, think about the middle ground between how your brain typically operates and how moving, even slightly, towards the world of organization can help you feel like stress. For example, maybe an aesthetically pleasing pantry organization system looks to you, more like a scene from your biggest nightmare. Or maybe you have small children at home who you anticipate not keeping this system organized, causing you more stress. Instead of either doing it anyways, and freaking out when it gets messed up, or ditching the idea all together, think about what lies in between those two.
A weekly, or even monthly, plan for your food is a good compromise. Sitting down and dedicating some time towards meal planning, a grocery list, and doing the actual shopping and meal prep can help your daily routine flow seamlessly. One large chunk of time can save you smaller chunks throughout the week, giving your brain some time to breath. Not having to think about what to make for dinner after a tough day at the office can be a game changer.
If this feels more advanced than you want to tackle, break it up. Start small, maybe with snacks. Especially for busy families, snacks are important pieces of the day, and are often unavoidable. You can get a snack box subscription with snacks from around the world delivered monthly. Having the convenience of a delivery and the hassle-free element of not having to think about snacks can reduce your stress as it pertains to the daily grind of fueling your body through food.
Self-Care
For those who already feel like there are not enough hours in the day, it can feel extra anxiety inducing to consider taking time away from your to do list to care for yourself, but the truth is if you are not taking care of yourself, the items on your to do list do not even matter. High stress levels can put you at a greater risk for depression, and that is a whole other animal. Even if your self-care routine is listening to music you love while you get ready for work, or lighting a yummy scented candle in your office each day, these small changes will make a big splash in your overall mood, approach, and productivity.
Get Some Fresh Air
Fresh air and natural light work wonders for a stressful mind. Even in the dead of winter, opening your blinds to let in the daylight, or even taking a five-minute break from your work to breathe in some fresh air can remove elements of stress in the moment. If you live in an area where this does not feel like a year-round option consider taking supplements to mimic the effects of nature on your mind, body, and soul.
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