5 Ways to Reduce Stress and Improve Your Life

Stress is a normal part of life, but sometimes it can be excessive and lead to both mental and physical problems. These are some tips to help manage and prevent excessive stress.

1. Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep is one of the most important aspects to your health and well-being. The average adult needs 8 hours of sleep per night on average. Studies show, however, that most adults (72%) only get about 5 hours of sleep per night.

Insomnia caused by stress causes more stress and can be a vicious cycle that undermines your entire health. Don’t pull an all-nighter studying for a midterm or finishing up a brief for work.

2. Eat Right

Avoid foods that are high in salt and saturated fat; opt instead for foods that are high in protein and complex carbohydrates that will give you energy and mental stamina. Eat more vegetables, which are high in nutrients but low in calories, and less drive-thru meals.

Pack your food and take it to work. A couple of extra minutes spent making your own food will make you feel more energized and your body more healthy and active.

Stress can cause your body to retain water. It might sound counter-intuitive, but drinking large amounts of water daily will help flush your system out and keep your body from retaining water.

3. Exercise Regularly

Exercise releases various hormones such as endorphins and serotonin, which cause euphoria and calmness. “Runner’s High” is a great antidote to a stressful day.

Regular exercise keeps the body in excellent condition, which can help you deal with things such as chronic stress. If you want to be able to last through a stressful episode, your body is going to need to be in prime working condition.

4. Focus on the Positive

Stay positive and avoid lingering on “should-have, would-have, and could-have”. Instead of thinking “I paid my electric bill late and now have to pay an extra charge and I might have lost points on my credit score,” think “I messed up, but if I continue to pay my electric bill on time, I will regain my credit in no time.”

It’s no coincidence that positive people tend to experience stress less often than their melancholy counterparts. Positive thinking reinforces your actions.

5. Organize Your Space

Clutter and disorganization lead to stress and a feeling of hopelessness. Brighten up a space by opening windows and shades. Organize papers on a desk into a file system. Throw out old newspapers or junk mail that collects and is no longer needed.

A clean, organized space is a more productive space. A more productive space leads to less stress.