For most people, stress is an unfortunate part of everyday life. But high levels of stress are dangerous for your long-term health. Stress can lead to heart disease, diabetes, insomnia and much more. Luckily, there are many simple techniques to help tackle the problem. Here are three easy ways to eliminate stress.
1. Journal
Journaling can greatly reduce stress. Negative emotions often stick with us when we have no outlet to express them. Consequently, the act of transferring your feelings to paper can be cathartic. At the end of a trying day, grab a notebook and let your thoughts flow. Keep in mind that no one has to see your journal, so you can be as transparent as you’d like. On the flip side, you can also try shifting your perspective with a gratitude journal that details the positive aspects of your life.
2. Live in the Present
Two frequent sources of stress are the past and the future. It’s easy to get stuck in a negative cycle of worrying about what was, or will be. But doing so prevents you from living for today and taking current actions to curb your stress. Instead of dwelling on a time period that is no longer (or not yet) in the present, focus your attention on the now. If you want to reduce your stress, find solutions to today’s problems and show gratitude for present-day blessings.
3. Set Boundaries
The last way to eliminate stress is to set boundaries. To preserve your mental and physical health, you must accept the fact that you can’t allow everyone and everything to access your energy. Limits are important. Think about the most stressful parts of your life and consider how you can implement boundaries in those situations. Maybe you need to say “no” more often. You may need to restrict the amount of time you allocate to certain tasks. Or you may decide to cut ties with someone altogether. Whatever the circumstance, proper boundaries can help.
Intense stress doesn’t have to be a permanent part of your life. Although challenges arise, you have the power to decide how they affect your mental peace. Use these three stress eliminating tips to take back control and improve your overall well-being.
