Stress picks up during the holidays and women are more vulnerable to a spike in stress, according to the American Psychological Association. Yet even during other seasons, it's easy to get caught up in today's busy lifestyle, when people have so much going on.
Stress is a huge factor that could influence the development of diseases, according to a study done at the Carnegie Mellon University. Learn how to reduce stress in your life by making these simple lifestyle changes:
1.) Resist from rushing everything you do. Today, many people are addicted to rushing as they try to fit many activities into their schedule. Rushing doesn't mean that you're better at handling your activities or tasks; it only robs you of the chance to enjoy and relish in moments. When it's not critical, practice doing things at a leisurely pace and take time to stop and smell the roses once in a while.
2.) Learn to be organized. Sure, some people thrive under chaos, but there's nothing like a messy environment to drive stress higher. A study has shown that those who live or work under cluttered conditions end up becoming more depressed and tired, while another study pointed out that physical clutter can affect a person's focus and the ability to process information. When you're disorganized, you're bound to make more mistakes, lose things or lose your mind. Create a to-do list, clean up after your mess and come up with a process or strategy to get through tasks and errands for the day to simplify your schedule.
3.) Adopt a routine. While this might sound boring, routine provides structure in the way you manage your activities. "Repetitive behavior and rituals can be very effective in increasing focus and reducing stress, providing the extent, nature and level of compulsion to engage in these actions does not negatively impact on the individual's life or performance," said psychologist Jill Owen, according to The British Psychological Society.
4.) Get enough sleep. Make sure that your bedroom is inviting, comfortable and truly a sleep sanctuary. A sleep-deprived person is listless and will turn to other methods, such as food or alcohol, to cope. A sleep-deprived person is also more irritable and easily overwhelmed, while lacking energy and patience, according to a study published in the American Psychological Association. Make some changes in your sleep schedule and fix up your bedroom's ambiance to make it more relaxing.
For some ideas on how to make your bedroom cozier, click HERE.
