Beat the Stress: Healthy Habits that help Maintain Calm
Stress is an unhealthy disadvantage of living in this fast paced go-go culture. We get so caught up in work, family, children’s activities, grocery store runs, and keeping the household running smoothly that we end up creating a daily routine of unhealthy habits. It doesn’t have to be this way, however. We have the ability to make better choices, beat the stress, and a live a life that allows us to breath and enjoy each minute. What are some healthy habits we can pick up that will help maintain a sense of calm and keep us stress free?
Meditation – Begin the day with a meditation session. It doesn’t have to be extremely long but even 10 minutes of quiet and calm will make a world of difference on how the day unfolds. Wake up a half hour earlier and make time to get in touch with your goals for the day and what you hope to accomplish. It doesn’t take much more than finding a quiet spot where you won’t be bothered. Take advantage of that time to focus on breathing and just being in the moment.
Journaling – Writing down your thoughts for the day help to rid your mind and body of unwanted stressors that bog you down. Getting it all out of your head and down on paper has a calming effect that makes any situation seem better. You can do this in the morning or when you are unwinding during the evening hours. Just pick a time that feel comfortable for you and make it a daily routine.
Sleep – This may seem like a no brainer however, it’s surprising how many people don’t allow themselves a good night’s sleep. If you deprive yourself of this time of rest you will begin to let stress creep in and issues that come along will seem bigger than they really are. Remember to let yourself unwind a little bit before going to sleep. This will prevent you from laying in bed thinking about the events of the day and in turn, not being able to fall asleep easily.
Reading – This is a great way to let your mind unwind from a long day and get you prepared for a restful night’s sleep. If you’re not into reading that much you can always choose the audio version of the book and listen while you relax. You can also get up early and the morning and choose this time to read if that is what fits your schedule.
There are many ways to maintain a set of healthy habits in your daily routine. It just requires a little bit of planning and the will to take action to make your life as calm and stress free as you want it to be. Find out what activities fit your family life and schedule and set some goals for everyone involved. Your whole family can benefit from this and you will see a noticeable difference in the stress level all around.