We all get stressed, but sometimes you may feel like you’re completely overwhelmed with work deadlines, commitments to family and friends, finance issues, and more. If this sounds like you, there are a few things you can do to manage your stress more effectively this year:
Get away from it all
Humans don’t do well when they work for months or years at a time without a vacation. Even a short break can be enough to help you feel refreshed and give you some time to reevaluate your priorities and ‘chill’ for a while. This doesn’t necessarily need to be a long vacation if you can’t afford to get away right now- stay in a spa hotel in Yorkshire for a long weekend and you’ll feel like a new person by the time you’re ready to leave.
Become more mindful
If you haven’t yet heard, mindfulness is all the rage. But there’s a reason why mindfulness and meditation are becoming so popular. Most of us are rarely present during the day, and are instead thinking about our list of chores, the argument we had with our spouse, or that deadline at work. When you become more mindful, you learn to stay in the moment, which can help you conquer stress and be more focused at work. Check out some great apps like Headspace and Calm to learn how to do it.
Get more sleep
How much sleep are you really getting? If you feel like it’s not enough you’re not alone. Most of us could do with a few more hours each night, and it’s difficult to process your emotions effectively when you’re running on empty. Remember: You can’t pour from an empty cup, so it’s ok to say no to a few things through the week to ensure you get enough shut-eye.
Exercise
Not only is exercise great for your health, but it’s an excellent way to help you feel less stressed. When you’re working out, you’re forced to stay in the moment, which gives your brain a rest if you’ve been worrying about a particular situation. Exercise also releases endorphins, which are natures feel-good hormones- something you probably need if you’re stressed out.
Not only is exercise good for getting rid of stress, but it can help you sleep better as well. You’re also more likely to eat a nutritious meal if you’ve worked out.