We all have one: the point when all of life’s demands—work, home obligations, social life and everything in between—just become too much. In other words, your breaking point. When you reach it, you may feel completely overwhelmed, as if you’re struggling to get through each day while the weight of your responsibilities bears down on you. It’s easy in our modern, Web-connected times to get bogged down with too much to do. So what can you do to reduce your stress and achieve better balance in your life?
Recognizing Your Breaking Point
First, it can help if you learn to recognize signs that you may need to slow down. For example, people under too much stress may begin to:
- Feel tired all the time.
- Have trouble sleeping.
- Find themselves overeating, or not eating enough.
- Become short-tempered and snap at those around them.
- Experience feelings of anxiety or depression.
- Have an overall negative attitude.
If you feel that your rose-colored glasses are getting a little cloudy, or you are experiencing any of the above, you may just be stressed out. The good news is, you can take steps to get back in gear. Here’s what you can do.
How to Bring Balance Back to Your Life
It just takes a little adjustment and some assertiveness to reduce the stress you’re feeling. You can try any of the following:
- Make a to-do list and stick to it. At the beginning of each day, write down a list of things you’d like to accomplish. Then, divide up the list into those things you have to do right away, and those things that can wait. Tackle the have-tos first, prioritizing from most to least important. Then, you can leave the less urgent things until the end, or even the next day.
- Talk to your boss. If you have a lot on your plate at work, it can help to talk with your boss. He or she wants you to do your very best, and can help you prioritize. Your boss may also be able to give you tips for how to accomplish your tasks in the most efficient way possible, saving you time and headaches.
- Learn to say “no.” If you simply can’t take on one more project, family obligation, social engagement, etc., you need to just say “no.” An answer of, “Thanks for thinking of me, but I can’t dedicate the time that this deserves to do my very best” is a respectable answer.
- Take some time for you. You matter, too! Never forget to take a little time to unwind with a shopping trip, massage, bubble bath, favorite movie, sports event, fun class at the gym or anything else that makes you smile.
- Choose a time every night that you’ll stop working and just relax. For example, after 9 p.m. each night you’ll stop checking email, answering text messages, cleaning the house, paying bills, or anything else that you may find stressful. Once you unplug, you’re sending your body the signal that it’s time to just relax—no more work for the day.
- Eat a healthy diet. If your body is in tip-top shape, it is much better equipped to deal with stress. It’s important to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables; lean meats, fish and legumes; low-fat dairy and whole grains. Avoid packaged and convenience foods, and items high in salt and fat.
- Try some Yoga or meditation. Both of these activities include deep breathing and mindfulness. They have proven health benefits and can help you to reduce your stress level and calm down.
All it takes is your “I can”
You CAN reduce stress and get balance back in your life! You’ll find that with practice, it gets easier. The most important thing is to step back and breathe, communicate with those around you if you need help, and stand up for what you need. Good things will follow.
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