tips for reducing stress
1. make time for you: even if it’s only for a few minutes a day- you deserve it. schedule time to grab a cup of coffee, read for a few minutes, talk to a friend on the phone. try to set time aside for you- if possible ♥
2. learn to say no: my friends {esp. one} preach this to me all the time. she claims i will add seven years to my life if i cut down and simply say ‘no.’ more often. i struggle with this- big time. learning to do this is tough, but i feel like my plate gets really full and really fast- a lot. lately i have been trying to cut down… for example, if i have three options in front of me, i try to pick two and stick with it! i have a hard time not doing as much, but in the end, i know it’s best.
3. change your diet: when you don’t
feed your body with the right foods, your energy and hormone levels can
dip, causing a rise in stress levels. pair carbs with proteins so your
body can properly metabolize, as eating carbs alone can drag you down. also, cut out unnecessary junk foods with tons of sugar or salt. i enjoy a
few cookies every now and then but try to get back on desserts.
4. turn up the volume: music helps to drown out stress and calm my inner monologue. i recommend finding pandora station’s or creating a playlist to help you wind down. any great stations or songs you recommend?
5. make exercise a priority: this has been my biggest focus lately and it helps so much! it tends to help my mood and helps make my sleep pattern more regular.
6. unplug: also a major focus for me- way less iphone time and i love it. i am not on it much in the evenings and refuse to be on it when with friends/at dinner. i feel like our society is addicted. and the interactions with other people has been put to the side. this makes me so sad. i want to make more time with my loved ones and less time checking social media. i love social media- don’t get me wrong- but feel like limitations are key. all in all, give yourself a break from technology regularly and your mind will feel relieved.
7. count your blessings: many times, we put too much emphasis on the negative aspects of life instead of the positives. when we shift our focus to the good, we appreciate more things and feel less weighed down. this always helps to make me feel so much better… ♥
Comments (26)
Ashley Stephenson
May 13, 2015 at 2:14 pm
I have been learning to say no so much more and I really feel like I have more time for myself. Before I moved out of my apt and into my house I was constantly doing things and never really had any time for myself. Probably because my apt was so small and I just wanted to get out of it..but now that I have my house I find myself finding more time for myself. It is a great feeling
nelle monaco
May 14, 2015 at 9:14 pm
it's so hard- i totally understand! we moved into our first home last december and i am all about some time at home… it's peaceful and i feel so much better overall. thanks so much, ashley!
Jasmine @ The Jasmine Maria
May 13, 2015 at 2:16 pm
I have to agree with these. Making time for myself is something I really need to work on. I feel like I can barely get any alone time especially with having kids.
nelle monaco
May 14, 2015 at 9:15 pm
i am sure… just a few minutes probably feels so amazing! you are so sweet- jasmine! thanks for all the love!
Rachel Nicole | littlebluesailboat.blogspot.com
May 13, 2015 at 2:39 pm
Great tips! I have to say that as a people-pleaser, I have always had a tough time saying no. But then when I would get incredibly stressed and have occasional nervous breakdowns when I had so much on my plate, I realized that it wasn't worth sacrificing my sanity to be a "yes" woman all the time. It's so liberating to feel more in control with my commitments now that I've learned to say "no." However, I often say "yes" at first and then after thinking about it I need to go back and politely decline.
nelle monaco
May 14, 2015 at 9:16 pm
thank you so much, rachel! you know i struggle. it's so hard… and i can totally relate to your comment! ♥ it's all fun and games until your plate is too full! so excited for baby max- one year on sunday! yay! hope your week is going well, friend. xo
Astleigh H.
May 13, 2015 at 2:57 pm
SUCH good reminders!!!
nelle monaco
May 14, 2015 at 9:16 pm
thank you, love!!
Mattie @ Northwest Native
May 13, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Yes to this! Exercise works for me. We also try to eat healthy (with cheats occasionally thrown in or I would go crazy!). And I've definitely cut back on my iPhone usage as well. I'll do something like read (another one I like!) instead.
nelle monaco
May 14, 2015 at 9:18 pm
it has helped me so much- esp. hot yoga! life-changing! along with some music and a new diet… my anxiety has decreased so much. we cheat on sunday evenings and usually order out or go out on a friday night! it's all about balance. eating well during the week has def. helped me though! and cutting back on my phone has been HUGE. love some good books- esp. at a park on these gorgeous days!
Courtney
May 13, 2015 at 4:04 pm
I love these suggestions! They are practical and doable. Everyone could use a little less stress huh? Thanks for sharing!
nelle monaco
May 14, 2015 at 9:18 pm
thank you, courtney! most def… ♥
Anonymous
May 13, 2015 at 4:22 pm
I've been working on all of these! I went to yoga this morning and I feel so relaxed!
nelle monaco
May 14, 2015 at 9:18 pm
isn't yoga the best?!?! love- so much! esp. hot yoga! thank you, alicia for the love
Alanna @ Alanna and Company
May 13, 2015 at 5:37 pm
Music and exercise are huge for me. I never thought about diet though, you're probably right that it'll really make a difference.
nelle monaco
May 14, 2015 at 9:19 pm
it has helped me so much! eating well during the week and cheating a little on the weekends! overall, i feel so much better!
kristi@mustbeamomblog.com
May 13, 2015 at 6:31 pm
Great list… I could absolutely use the tunes and less phone time! Thank you xoxo mutbeamomblog.com
nelle monaco
May 14, 2015 at 9:19 pm
thank you, kristi!
Christine @lilacpaperdoll
May 13, 2015 at 7:31 pm
Great tips for de-stressing. I tend to de-stress with chocolate and Netflix, but exercising and not having too much on your plate is probably a wiser way to do it! 🙂
nelle monaco
May 14, 2015 at 9:20 pm
all about some netflix and peanut butter in my case… both great options as well! ♥ thank you for the love
Donna
May 14, 2015 at 4:43 am
Great tips! For me, the biggest change in my life to reduce stress was definitely learning to say no. Learning to read my own cues and go from there has made me a much happier person. Your site is super cute by the way – i love it!
nelle monaco
May 14, 2015 at 9:20 pm
awe- so sweet! thank you so much, donna. means so much to me! hope you're well and thanks for the love. you are so kind ♥
Here I scribble
May 14, 2015 at 7:26 am
#2 is so hard… but I am learning..
Thanks for sharing the tips!
—DT | Here I Scribble
nelle monaco
May 14, 2015 at 9:21 pm
so hard. thank you for stopping in and hope your week is going well
Unknown
May 14, 2015 at 4:35 pm
I've been noticing lately how my workout puts me in such a better mood! Great tips!
nelle monaco
May 14, 2015 at 9:21 pm
it helps so much! esp. with sleep! thank you!
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