Life can get stressful and it can be hard to cope with all the challenges. It may seem difficult at times to deal with certain situations, and you may feel overwhelmed or lost. However, there's a way to fix this – listed below are ten things that you can easily adjust in your life to simplify it and make it much more enjoyable.
1. Learn to say "no."
It can be extremely difficult to say "no" to things. I personally have a hard time saying this two-letter word. For example, you could be asked to take on more shifts at your job from your co-workers. They might bribe or guilt-trip you, and you might be too nice of a person to say no. Take it from me, it will make your life much easier if you don't always say "yes" to people. It will give you more time to do things that you want, and you’re never obligated to do something just because someone is asking you. Saying "no" could also prevent you from going out on a date with that creepy guy that you know you’re not interested in. Saying "no" can feel powerful; after all, you have your choices that you can make!
2. Use technology less.
You can be easily addicted to video games, Netflix, the Internet, or your phone. Tone it down and use technology less. With less use, you will have more time to do other things and be in better touch with the real world. Go out, make some new hobbies, and hang out with your friends and family. Too often we are wrapped up in the technological world and tend to forget what other things we may be missing out on.
3. Work out more.
Working out more often can make you happier and healthier. The more you work out, the less stressed you will be, and the less you will be focused on any problems going on in your life. If you focus into putting more time at the gym, you’ll become more fit. The better you look, the better you will feel. If you’re ever stressed out, taking a run can certainly improve your mood or take your mind off of things.
4. Eat what you want.
There are always those diets and fads that people seem to become obsessed with. Life is short, so why not enjoy it? There’s no reason to completely limit yourself and restrict what you eat, or to count how many calories are in the food you’re eating. Let yourself enjoy the food you want in moderation. And don’t stress yourself out over what you can’t eat!
5. Break bad addictions.
Addictions can create holes in your life. You could be addicted to smoking, drinking, drugs, your ex-boyfriend, or something else. When you can break a bad habit, it will help you become healthier, happier, and less stressed. Even cutting your work hours down might help you to manage your time better.
6. Have a small group of friends.
Having a small group of friends is easier than having a huge group. It can be less dramatic and, therefore, less stressful. Plus, with a small circle of friends, you will be able to get to know your friends more easily and have a more supportive group – your friendships will be stronger and will be on a much deeper level than most. I personally have a wide variety of friends; however, I only keep a few (really) close friends that I can trust. It’s nice to have a lot of friends, but I am more invested with only some of my specific friendships. Quality over quantity.
7. Go out for adventures.
When was the last time you went out for an adventure – a real one, where you just went with the flow and didn’t actually plan anything specific? Try going out into the woods one day with a group of friends. Try cliff diving. Visit a waterfall or go hiking. It can be so much fun not knowing what exactly you’re going to do because you are with your friends, and you can do whatever you feel like doing. Adventures allow us to have a “fresh breath” of nature.
8. Donate items.
Get rid of some of your belongings. You don’t really need that many clothes, do you? The more you get rid of, the more comfortable you will be. When you get rid of unnecessary items, it can make you feel as though “the weight has been lifted.” This includes getting rid of old furniture, clothes, costumes that you kept (just in case), and other material possessions. Think of it this way: the more you get rid of things, the more often you can refresh yourself and replace your old items with new ones that are more necessary! It’s always good to donate things, because other people around the world may need them more than you did. Also, when you donate your items, some places may cut down your taxes due to the donations you give. It’s a win-win!
9. Write it out.
Create a blog or keep a journal or a diary to write in. Writing can help you deal with stress – it’s a great way to vent about your problems or to talk about things that you might not be able to tell your friends. Writing is my way of releasing what I want to say. It feels nice to write important things down that you might not want to forget, and it can help you document your life. If you write daily, you can also look back on what you’ve written in the past. It’s a cool thing to be able to see what you were interested in or what you were focused on before, compared to your interests and obsessions now.
10. Meditate.
Meditation and yoga are great ways to relieve stress. Daily meditation can help you to release any negative emotions and allow you to think – really think – about life in general. It can help you to make decisions because it will calm you down and help you think through any situation more thoroughly.
Dictionary.com defines "simplicity" as "freedom from complexity, intricacy, or division into parts." With these ten things, I can guarantee that you will feel less stressed and be better able to cope with any situation that arises. You will eliminate toxicity.
