The best way to win the battle against stress is to cultivate habits that can help you reduce stress and make you deal with problems much calmer and more efficient. If you decide you won’t be stressed, the battle is half won.
In psychology, stress is a feeling of strain and pressure. Small amounts of stress may be desired, beneficial, and even healthy. But a lot of us face more stress, which is essential.
The best way to win the battle against stress is to cultivate habits that can help you reduce stress and make you deal with problems much calmer and more efficient. If you decide you won’t be stressed, the battle is half won.
These are not rules to follow when working; quite the opposite, these rules are for when you are not working. What you do with your time when you are not at work dramatically affects your stress levels.
Incorporate these rules into your life and feel the difference.
Rule 1 – Disconnect
Gadgets and technology have enabled you to work just about anywhere. While it is great for your business, it may not be the same for your mental health. Take some time to disconnect, and put your phone away for at least a short duration. While staying phone-free and gadget-less for an entire weekend may not be suitable for today’s working professionals, allocate time for you to check your emails and stick to them. Do not check your phone every 5 minutes; instead, attend to work-related emails only during the allocated time.
Rule 2 – Chores
It is easy to get lost in the chore list. Laundry seems to multiply every minute. Don’t spend your weekend doing chores. Allocate a schedule to doing your tasks and if you cannot finish it within the time, then reallocate it for another day. Don’t let chores become your weekend plan. Have a chores list, and try to do as many as possible throughout the week.
Rule 3 – Work out
You must remain physically healthy to perform well mentally. Use your free time to exercise. A long walk with your partner during the summer months can be great for your body and bonding. Find an exercise you enjoy doing. It should be something that you are passionate about. You will not just have a fitter body but a relaxed mind too. Your physical activity of choice could be anything. Try different activities like swimming, running, cycling, and yoga to find out which you like best.
Rule 4 – What are you passionate about?
Finding a passion is a great way to inspire and motivate. Your mind will open up to new ways of thinking, and soon you will forget all about stress. Your passion could be something you have always wanted to do, something you have done in the past but let go of, or something new you want to learn. Singing, reading, writing, painting, the list is endless.
Rule 5- Family Time
Spending time with your loved ones is one of the best ways to unwind. Play with your kids at the park, take them out for ice cream, go to the movies or a restaurant with your spouse, visit your parents, or speak to your sister or brother over the phone.
Rule 6 – Make weekend plans.
Schedule some exciting activities for the weekend. Buy tickets for a new movie or a concert. Book a chef’s table at the latest new restaurant, decide to go on a hike or plan a picnic with the family. Planning something you have not done before or long while will make you anticipate it and keep you cheerful throughout the week.
Rule 7 – Wake up at the same time every day.
Some people are early risers, they can wake up early and have a great day ahead, and others like to sleep in for a bit more. Choose a time to wake up so you can comfortably get to work and stick to that time. When you wake up simultaneously every day, your body and mind will be more alert and awake. Stick to the wake-up schedule on weekends as well. Sleeping late on weekends can make you lose a lot of time. By waking up earlier, you can finish your chores before heading out the door for the hike you planned.
Rule 8 – Contemplate life.
Use your weekends to look at the bigger picture. When your mind is free of the hustle of a workday, you can see things much more clearly. Make your plans for the future and approach the upcoming week positively.
Rule 9- Enjoy the weekend mornings.
Use the weekend mornings to pursue your passion and to exercise. By indulging in physical activity in the morning, you not just feel great for the rest of the day, but you feel like you have already achieved a lot, and it is not even 10 am. Have a healthy breakfast and use the time to do things for yourself that you haven’t had time to do this week.
Rule 10- Prepare for next week.
It is much easier to face anything when prepared for it. Spend some time on Sunday preparing for the upcoming week. Do not overdo this, though. The preparation should not take up your day, only lesser than an hour. You feel positive and ready to take on anything when you walk into work on Monday.
