5 Ways To Reduce Stress In Your Life

When it comes to the quality of our lives, there is one factor that significantly diminishes our ability to be present and enjoy our experiences: stress. Stress influences our happiness, our health, and our daily interactions with others. In such a fast-paced society, the majority of Americans now find themselves living a life of coping, as opposed to appropriately adapting to and growing with the normal ups and downs of existence.

Many influences have the ability to induce stress. External situations such as work environment, financial uncertainty, hectic schedules, relationships with others, and all the challenges that surface each day influence stress levels in an individual. Internal situations also affect stress, such as the degree of healthy food one eats, lack of exercise, sleep deprivation, as well as emotional-psychological issues.

The following are helpful ways to reduce stress in your life. Try applying one suggestion at a time, gradually diminishing your levels of stress.

• TIME MANAGEMENT: A weekly schedule can help you organize what you need to accomplish and enables you to be more of an active participant in the events and experiences in your life. Most of us are reactors to situations, human pinball machines bouncing from each event or responsibility thrown at us.

• ORGANIZE YOUR MENU: If you are too busy to organize your food, then you likely eating whatever is around at the office or convenience store. Pausing to think about what you would like to eat for the week and preparing items ahead can eliminate stress caused by hunger and subsequent over-eating, as well as junk food which can cause fatigue and depression.

• REFLECT ON YOUR VALUES: If one of your core values is time spent with your family, or working on creative projects, or perhaps eating healthy but you find yours-elf ignoring these needs each week by consistently over committing in other areas then you will create stress and unhappiness for yourself. Take this week to reflect on what your core values are and find time on your weekly schedule to honor them. If you do not have the time, then drop something else that is not a priority!

• BREATHE: Meditation and deep breathing exercises are simple to incorporate in your daily life and naturally decreases symptoms of stress. Spending time in nature can be a meditation as well. Sitting outside listening to the rain or admiring the flowers growing in your window for 5 minutes can influence your state of mind dramatically.

• EXERCISE: When it comes to stress, exercise has got to be one of the best ways to reduce stress (while burning calories and fighting disease at the same time!). I am hosting a free conference call on Wednesday, June 25 from 7-8 pm titled “Exercise: The Magic Pill.” Check it out in the Upcoming Events section!

Finally, when you are stressed out, it is also important to reach out for help. Support could be in the form of a weekly counseling appointment with a therapist (there are countless non-profit counseling agencies for challenged incomes), trading babysitting with a good friend, a personal coaching session to activate goals and greater fulfillment in your life, or enlisting the help of your spouse and children to participate more with tasks.



©laynewhitley, 2010. Article may be reprinted with permission.

Layne Whitley, Food & Weight Loss Coach, helps clients lose weight, eat healthier, and feel great… naturally! To get your FREE e-book on lasting weight loss and receive her weekly recipes & success mindset articles on reaching your wellness potential, visit www.laynewhitley.com or email her at coach@laynewhitley.com.