Tips on How to Reduce Stress

A recent article in the New York Times on how unexpected gestures of kindness benefit both parties was not a surprise, but a reminder for me of the palpable amount of stress present in our modern lives. Today, let’s revisit Stress Reduction, one of our Elements of Wellness and a key contributor to your ability to rebuild your good health and quality of life.

Here are a few well-intended suggestions for you to consider:

• Give up all hope for a better past. Regrets and grudges are a waste of your time. How you take advantage of your here and now will determine your future, so act accordingly.

• Apparently not everyone is in your hurry. Traffic is traffic, and it is not our job to teach the world how to drive. That is just one example. The more we react to things that we cannot affect, the more stress we needlessly inject into our daily life.

• Avoid the avoidable and unnecessary sources of stress. Arguing over politics has as much chance of leading to a change in either party’s perspective as arguing over religious beliefs. What’s the point? There is far too much self-induced and misdirected anger, and you have better things to do. Start by turning off social media and cable news.

• Meditate, don’t medicate. Meditation is great and recommended, but let’s simply start with giving ourselves a chance to breathe and gather our thoughts. A few moments unplugged and off-the-grid not only will lower your stress level, but will boost your available energy level.

• But definitely naturally medicate. Tap into the powerful benefits of exercise, and enjoy a life riding a wave of dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin and adrenaline: all so good it is hard to believe that they are both free and legal. The fitter you get, the less you will crave other stimulants that further stress your body and increase your stress levels.

• Focus on your priorities. Understand what truly matters to you, and make certain that you are investing your time and energy accordingly. Being busy and being successful are two different things, so set and act upon priorities that make sense for you. Otherwise, others will set your priorities for you.

• Life is far simpler than we allow it to be. “No drama” is my mantra at work and in life, but don’t get me wrong: I am a work in progress on a good day. Nevertheless, before you get upset about something, ask yourself if you will even remember the issue in two weeks time.

In general, let’s agree to lighten up, focus on the here and now, pursue what matters most to us, and to never forget to have a great time along the way. Deal?

As always, thank you for being a member of our XY Wellness community.

All the Best,

David, Co-founder & CEO