Stress seems inescapable at times. Engrained in the very core of our lifestyle, even things that bring us joy can sometimes come with a side of well-intentioned stress. So how, if our lives are intertwined with positive and negative stress, can it be possible to enjoy a low-stress lifestyle? A combination of environmental changes and shifting reactions to stressors can give you a taste of the low-stress lifestyle you desire.
1. Identify specific negative stressors
Negative stressors are the most dangerous type of stress. In addition to physiological effects, such as increased blood pressure and heart rate, negative stressors typically weigh heavily on the mind, therefore lasting longer than just an isolated stressful moment. The first step is identifying the specific source of the stress. Work is a common source of stress for most people, but what exactly about work is bringing stress? Is it a specific interaction with a person at work? Is it a specific aspect of your working environment? Is it a specific task at work? Identifying the specific stressor can empower you to make small adjustments to decrease or eliminate the source. Maybe it’s possible to avoid interaction with that person, rearrange your working environment, or reorganize a task to make it more manageable. Whatever it may be, identifying the specific source of negative stress can give you a fighting chance to make changes in a positive direction.
2. Change how you react to stressful situations
At times, the only aspect people have control over is the type of reaction to a situation. Choosing to let the situation control you is a recipe for stress. Instead of letting stress and its negative side effects get the better of you, control your reaction. When stressful information is experienced, take a deep breath and put it in perspective. Count down from ten before you react and often you will find the situation not as dire as it first seemed. Often, daily stressors are not worth the physical damage stress can cause. Controlling you reactions to stress can make you a poised leader that people admire and take cues from.
3. Enrich your life
Sometimes stress doesn’t come from a tangible situation, but a lack there of. It could be what is missing from your life that is causing stress. Identify what makes you happy and attempt to add those pieces to your life. Schedule activities you love, surround yourself with people and environments that make you comfortable and happy.
Living a low-stress lifestyle requires you to be the conductor of your life. When you are actively overseeing all sections, your life will be in harmony.
