10 tips to reduce stress

Do you feel overwhelmed? Are you always busy but seems like you can't get anything done? Do you want to feel calm throughout the day in spite of having deadlines? Keep reading to find out how.

We feel like we have a million things to do every day. The thought of waking up every day and facing the world seems like such a task. Managing the house, kids, cooking, and working, is too much of an ask for anyone. Imagine having to do all this ourselves with no help from outside since the lockdown.

How do we get everything done and not feel overwhelmed or stressed? I hear you. These are some of the things I do to keep my sanity in check and remain calm throughout the day:

1. Wake up before everyone:

Starting the day on my terms and not my kid or partner’s terms makes me feel more in control. Waking up a little earlier also helps me plan ahead and not rush things.

2. Meditate:

No, you need not be a spiritual person to meditate. Investing 10 mins a day in this activity has helped me ease my anxiety.

All you have to do is sit in a place where you will not get disturbed. Close your eyes, inhale and exhale deeply, feeling the breath reach your tummy. If you notice your mind is wandering, acknowledge the thought or feeling. Then bring your attention back to the breath.

If you notice that you are thinking about what to tell your boss about a deadline, label the feeling as planning. You are planning what to tell your boss. Do this for all the thoughts and feelings you have.

3. Dance away your stress:

Physical activities like dancing release endorphins – the feel-good hormones. It will make you feel relaxed.

I have never been a dancer, but I dance like no one is watching with my daughter. If you are not comfortable doing this, you can close the door and go crazy.😊

4. Never skip breakfast:

We all have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In the rush of the morning, we are too busy to eat.

I am guilty of doing this myself so many times. I would not eat anything till noon sometimes. I would be so low on energy and would get, Hangry. I make sure that I eat something within an hour of waking up now.

5. Stop checking your phone as soon as you wake up:

The way we spend the first few minutes after waking up sets the tone for the rest of the day.

Avoid consuming content on social media, emails, direct messages right after waking up.

I am trying to follow this rule of no phone inside the bedroom. I will not check my phone until I finish my breakfast the next day.

6. Reading:

I cannot stress the importance of this enough. Reading a book for 15 mins every day will reduce stress and helps in regulating your sleep cycle.

I read on my kindle or listen to an audiobook right before going to sleep at night.

7. Talk to a friend/family member:

My day is incomplete unless I talk to my mom every day. Telling her how my day went sharing the good, bad and ugly is like lifting a weight off my shoulder.

8. Take breaks:

All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. We have all heard this before, but how many of us follow?

We are always chasing deadlines. We feel that every minute of a break can get used to doing something productive. A break is necessary to clear your head and be more efficient.

Go out, and feel the sun, the wind on your skin, even if it is in your backyard or balcony.

9. Avoid multitasking:

We feel like superhumans when we do many tasks simultaneously.

Doing this drains a lot of our energy. Our brain has to switch from task 1 to task 2 many times.

Focusing all our attention on one task completing it. Then moving on to a new task will increase our efficiency and also the quality of work.

10. Dedicated space for work:

Having a dedicated space for work makes your brain switch into work mode when you are in that space.

It also ensures that your work is not flowing into your personal life. It minimizes distractions. Many of us are working from home now, so it is important to have a dedicated workspace.

How do you keep yourself sane and reduce stress? Do let me know in the comments below.