5 More Ways to Reduce Stress & Anxiety

I’ve always thought that the best advice is the kind that makes you think, “that’s so simple but true.”

I’m not sure that I can do that for you here, but I do want to point out that there isn’t anything bad about simplicity. In fact, I think simplicity should be a chief aim in your life because it fosters non filtered goodness.

Here are five simple ways to help you be a little more anxiety free.

Leave earlier

How many times have you gotten frustrated or stressed out because you were late to something? Maybe you were stuck in traffic, or maybe you couldn’t even find the place you were looking for. All that is an awesome way to make yourself feel anxious and tense.

To avoid that, try to practice the ten minute rule. That is, always leave 10 minutes before you think you have to. I have no idea why, but those 10 magic minutes are usually the difference between a good day and bad one. Just 10.

Break things down

We’re always busy it seems like. But how much of the things you have to do really need to be done right this second? Probably not all of them, or even most of them, so act like you know that.

I know I’m guilty of wanting to do everything at once, but really when we rush around in a frenzy we wind ourselves up and in the end just replace one project with another one as soon as we’re done anyway.

So instead, try to break tasks down into smaller pieces. Shopping, painting, cleaning, or whatever, can usually all be done in chunks. That way you free up more time for yourself, your family and your friends, which will bring you more emotional sunshine.

Time it!

Now this just means that you set some time apart for certain tasks and when the time is up stop! Treat it like an exam and just put that pencil down. I’ve had to adopt this strategy a lot lately because I have a four year old son that needs some serious daddy time.

Giving yourself X amount of time per tasks, per day, will force you to not go overboard, and let no so important things gobble up all your time. So when the time is up skedaddle on to the next thing and don’t spin your wheels. You’d be surprised how much more efficient this will make you.

Limit email

How many times a day do you check your email? The answer is probably too much! Between your personal email, work email, and that extra email account you keep for no reason, you end stressing a lot. And for what?

At work I check my email three times. In the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon. And I only do it that much because I sometimes get time sensitive messages.

And at home I check it… drum roll please, once. I usually set aside about 15 minutes to plow through and respond to personal emails once in the evening. Last time I checked, I wasn’t that important, so I don’t need to jump on emails as if I was. My rule of thumb is that if you don’t need bodyguards then you also don’t need to obsesses over emails, speed in your car, or walk super fast.

Don’t Procrastinate

If something needs a doing then get it done. There is one major reason for this and it boils down to one word: Worry. The more things you put off the more ‘to do’ lists you carry around in your head. But like I mentioned above, everything doesn’t always have to be done in a day, but at least try to make strides toward completing things timely and you’ll feel better for it.

Conclusion

Modern life is busy and stressful. Add to that an anxiety problem and you got, well, more problems. There’s all kind of stuff you can do to save time, be more productive, be more organized, and have a plan for the bigger things have you to do. Try to find things that work for you in this regard and apply that stuff.

For me it’s not about being all militaristic or anything. It’s more about being aware of the things I do and how those things might be causing me stress, if even a little bit. Because the more stress I can cut out of my life the more likely it is that my anxiety levels will be within an acceptable range. Be cool!

P.S.

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