How to Break Away from the Stress for a More Relaxing Life

Is stress ruling your life? It’s terrible to think, but sadly, it seems to be the reality for a lot of people. Stress has a way of just crumbling a person, making them feel trapped and unable to escape. Sure, there’s good stress out there, too, like party planning, but stress is usually bad; maybe it’s relationships, work, finances, schedules, and the list can go on and on. Now, it’s obvious that you can’t control every aspect of what happens in your life. 

One main reason why stress happens is due to the fact that it’s things that can’t simply be controlled. But with that said, while it’s far easier said than done, you shouldn’t allow stress to trap your life. You can’t always control what happens in your life, and while it’s grim, it’s the cold, hard truth. Thankfully, there are things that you can do to break away from the stress so you can have a much more relaxing life, so here’s what you need to know!

You Need to Understand the Impact That Stress Has

Chances are pretty high that you already have a solid understanding of the impact of your life, right? A lot of things can happen both to your mind, body, and even your surroundings. You can expect physical changes like dry hair and skin, less sleep, less exercise, weight gain or loss. There’s even a link between tinnitus and stress, too.  

There’s the obvious mental health aspect of it as well, since prolonged stress can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. It’s not often thought about, but there are changes within your surroundings too, like your relationships. Unfortunately, stress can cause a lot of tension in friends and family. But it doesn’t even there as productivity takes a nose dive, you’re less created, and it’s like you’re stuck in a pit that you can’t escape. Needless to say, it’s an awful “gift” that just never stops giving. 

What are Your Stressors?

So, if you’re deadset on breaking away from this chaotic stress so you can hopefully live a more relaxing life, then it’s going to all start with figuring out the root of all of this stress.  So, go ahead and take some time to reflect on the specific situations, people, or circumstances that contribute to your stress. These stressors can vary widely from person to person and may include work-related pressures, financial concerns, relationship issues, or even the daily commute. You should never feel bad, embarrassed, or even guilty for these stressors. They’re perfectly valid. 

You Need to Put Yourself First

So, this may have been said over and over by everyone, but when it comes to stress, you need to put yourself first. Sometimes, the whole reason you’re stressed is because you’re not giving your mind and body what it needs. Self-care can go a long way, and this doesn’t mean eating sweets and taking bubble baths. Sure, these are nice aspects of self-care, but they’re not the only things either. 

You need to prioritize self-care activities that promote relaxation, rejuvenation, and well-being.  This might include cutting toxic people out of your life, eating a better diet, not working so much, giving yourself time to do what you want to do, getting enough sleep, and the list can go on and on. Seriously, you only have one life, and you need to put yourself first. Even as a parent, you can’t expect to be incredible at what you’re doing if you’re always so drained and stressed out. 

Are You Setting Enough Boundaries?

One of the most challenging things to do is to say no. But the last thing you want to do is overcommit yourself. You absolutely need to know that It’s okay to decline additional responsibilities or social engagements if they add stress to your life. You’re not a bad person for saying no; in fact, it’s going to show how strong you are. If people don’t like it, then those are the ones that just don’t need to be in your life in the first place. 

Is there Balance?

This ties in with saying no, but is there no balance in your life due to a lack of boundaries? Do you have a work-life balance? Do you always feel the need to be tied down to your phone or computer? If you’re constantly having to cater to other people, their feelings, their lifestyle, their wants, and their needs, when can you even focus on yourself and what you need for your life? You need to establish a balance, and yes, even as a parent or a spouse, you can still have balance, and you’ll still need this balance to focus solely on yourself, too.