We’re living in tremulous times. It may seem like the world is in upheaval: the financial markets, housing markets and mortgages, and larger world issues that affect us here at home. They affect our relationships, our peace of mind and our well being, and they all create stress in our lives.
Stress affects our sleep, zaps our energy, puts us in a poor state of mind, ruins relationships and, most importantly, it takes joy and juice out of our lives.
Many resort to stress management techniques, which is really just juggling more. If you feel that you are gripped with high levels of stress, it’s really important that you learn how to reduce your stress and create more happiness for yourself. Here are a few techniques that can help in stress reduction. Remember, every individual is different and has to deal with different kinds and levels of stress. You are the best judge to choose a stress reduction method that will promote happiness for yourself.
I want to highlight something: we’ve been tricked into believing we can have it all; marketing ads and campaigns tell us we can have and do it all. Thus, we work hard towards having all sort of stuff and things that we may don’t want or need, yet we believe we do. In reality, we can’t have it all or do it all. There’s too much to see and do. But think about it for a moment: what is the real cost of chasing this stuff? It’s not just money, it’s TIME. Your time.
At the end of life, are you going to think about all the stuff you owned, or are you going to think about the experiences and good times you had?
How do you reduce your stress? My answer is simple. Focus on what’s most important in your life. Think about this: at the end of life, are you going to think about all the stuff you owned, or are you going to think about the experiences and good times you had? Think about what makes you happy.
How would you feel about going minimalistic? The BE-DO-HAVE technique
I would suggest you start reducing stress by doing a stress reduction exercise. It’s easy but you might not like it at first. You reduce 25% of everything you have – clothes, kitchen stuff,
stuff in the garage or basement, in your drawers, on the shelves in your living room and so on. This makes you focus on what’s really important right now. Not in the past but right now. This is not about wants or needs. It’s bigger than that. It makes you think about what’s most important and vital. Get rid of the clutter and baggage holding you back.