National Stress Awareness Day is coming up on April 18, 2022! In preparation, we wanted to share 10 ways that you can live a less-stressed life. Whether you're dealing with work-related stress, family stress, or just general stressors in your life, these tips can help. Implementing some of these ideas may take a bit of effort, but they are all worth it, in the end, to help improve your mental health.

Top Ten Ways Manage Stress

Get enough sleep

Most adults need around eight hours of sleep per night. If you're not getting enough shut-eye, it can lead to increased stress levels. Make sure to get to bed at a reasonable hour and turn off electronics an hour before you sleep.

Exercise

Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and to live an overall healthy and positive life. It doesn't have to be anything too intense, even a brisk walk can help. Just get your body moving and your heart rate up for a bit!

Eat Healthy

Eating nutritious foods helps your body to function at its best. When you're feeling run down, it's harder to deal with stressors in your life. Make sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet.

Take breaks

When you're feeling overwhelmed or stuck in a stressful situation, take a step back and take a break. Go for a walk, read your favorite book, or just take some time for yourself. It'll help you recharge and be better equipped to handle whatever stress comes your way. Learn to meditate! Deep breathing is a simple form of meditation and a great way to improve mental wellbeing. Practice taking a few moments on a day-to-day basis to pause and breathe!

Be organized

Having a plan and being organized can help reduce stress. Make to-do lists, keep a calendar, and set reminders for yourself. That way, you won't have to worry about forgetting something important. Getting organized is not just to reduce feeling stressed by to increase personal growth! What would you do with more time on your hands?

Say no

It's okay to say no sometimes! If you're already stretched thin, don't feel like you have to commit to anything else. Just politely decline and focus on taking care of yourself and your well-being. This applies to both personal and professional lives.

Delegate

If you're trying to do everything yourself, it's going to be tough – and stressful! If possible, delegate tasks to others who can help out. That way, you can focus on the things that are most important to you.

Set boundaries

Along the same lines, it's important to set boundaries with others. Let them know what you're comfortable with and what your limits are. That way, you won't end up feeling overwhelmed or taken advantage of. Whether it is with a friend or a family member, sometimes you just need to set boundaries to help with anxiety and stress.

Simplify

Sometimes, the best way to reduce stress is to simplify your life. If there are things that you can eliminate from your schedule or life in general, do it! You'll feel much better without the extra weight on your shoulders.

Set Realistic Goals

Part of simplifying your life is setting realistic goals. If you're constantly putting pressure on yourself to achieve unrealistic goals, it's going to lead to stress. Set goals that you know you can reasonably achieve and be proud of yourself when you reach them!

We hope these tips help you in living a less-stressed life! Remember, make sure to take some time for yourself and de-stress!