Adulting carries so much responsibility – it is sometimes unfathomable how some people manage to keep it together.
From work, to children, to family and other social responsibilities, the list seems never-ending for the average individual.
And it is even more challenging now that the world is so hyper-connected with social media and other notifications coming in on the phone constantly.
The Covid-19 pandemic is yet another issue to worry incessantly over.
But stress can be managed. The following hints may sound simple, but sometimes all that’s needed is a reminder of how easy it can be to make small changes that bring about big results.
1. Get enough sleep
This cannot be emphasised enough. Sleep is one of the top mood predictors and the amount and quality of sleep you get influences how well you can manage whatever happens during the day.
The quality of sleep measures your resilience as you face life’s challenges.
Do what must be done to ensure a good night’s rest. Sleep at a certain time every day and stop work early to give your brain ample time to wind down.
For a good quality of sleep, ensure the environment is clean, quiet, dark and peaceful. Do everything possible to get sufficient sleep.
2. Practise meditation
Life will not slow down or quieten down magically – it’s up to you to carve out time in the day to be still and reflect.
These moments are good checkpoints to assess if your routines are still healthy, if what you’re doing still contributes to your overall happiness and if you’re taking care of yourself in a holistic manner.
3. Observe a good diet and get enough exercise
Food and drink affect how people feel. Are three cups of coffee a day really necessary? Try natural teas as an alternative.
What about junk food and other things that do not contribute to physiological and mental health? Try replacing them with greens or fruits.
Move around more. Incorporate more physical activity by taking the stairs instead of the lift, or walking and/or biking to work instead of driving your car.
Physical activity releases endorphins into the bloodstream, which induce a positive mood.
4. Put first things first
A person can be stressed out because they are not managing their workload wisely. Are the most important things being given priority, or are you mindlessly answering every single notification that comes in on your phone?
Work on important projects first. Spend some time with the family and check in on them – ask how they are doing in school, or at work and how they are coping in general.
To have peace of mind that your partner and children will be taken care of in the event of sudden death, invest in life insurance to protect everyone in the family.
It has become increasingly important to incorporate pauses and self-management in your daily life, in order to keep functioning efficiently and effectively.
Hopefully, these tips will help become more attuned to yourself and minimise your daily stressors.
Dennis Relojo-Howell is the founder of Psychreg and host of The DRH Show. You can connect with him on Twitter @drelojo_howell