10 Steps to Stress-free Living
Wednesday 1st November is International Stress Awareness Day. The International Stress Management Association (ISMA) aims to help the public understand stress better. Over the past year, 690 in every 100,000 workers suffered from stress, a figure which has not changed in the past decade. From a business perspective, that is 11.7 million work days lost each year due to stress. To help you understand and prevent stress, we have 10 key steps to help you have stress-free living.
1. Start to put yourself first
If you eat & drink healthily, schedule regular physical activity that you enjoy & manage your
time effectively, you’ll be in a better position to help others.
2. Start to prioritise tasks
There are only so many things we can do well during each day,so choose your top 3 most
urgent tasks each morning and make them your priority. Reschedule, renegotiate your
commitments or delegate – you can make it happen!
3. Start to make time to relax & mentally unwind
Relaxation, breathing & meditation exercises have been proven to be effective in reducing
stress & anxiety, they are ideal ways to switch off AND they boost your immune system.
Just a few minutes a day will pay huge dividends.
4. Start to empathise with others
There are many different behaviour styles that affect how we communicate with each
other. Beaware that different people can perceive your words & actions in a way you didn’t
always intend. Take time to listen to others & look for solutions.
5. Start to live life to the full
Bring some fun into your life & spend a few minutes each day appreciating the good
things you have in your life. This will help you to see opportunities for growth and learning,
even from the most challenging situations.
6. Stop ignoring your needs
Know what is expected of you and what is reasonable. Take short breaks throughout the
day & know when and how to say ‘No’ both at work & home.
7. Stop getting distracted
If you’re experiencing too much pressure or just have a lot going on in your life, staying
focused isn’t easy. It may help to ask for support from colleagues or friends & prioritise
urgent, important & non-urgent tasks.
8. Stop allowing others to make you feel inferior
The key to stress-free living is to accept yourself for exactly who you are today, including
past mistakes and things you might not be so proud of. Work on your self-belief and
confidence and just go for it!
9. Stop being judgemental
Try to adopt a more flexible thinking style which will improve your mental well-being,
whilst reducing unnecessary pressure for both you and those around you. Practice being
objective and understanding.
10. Stop avoiding the things you least want to do
We often put off tasks that can become a recipe for worry. Take control & promise yourself
a reward when you get it done.
Content provided by SleepCouncil.org.uk