Endless to-do lists, piles of laundry, late nights in the office – these are all contributing factors to tension headaches and dark circles under our eyes. They are stress inducers. We all have them in our life, but not all of us take the time to re-evaluate our triggers and modify how we handle our stress. It’s probably unrealistic to believe you can lead a stress-free life, but these simple tips can give you a break from the madness and an opportunity to breathe.

1. Get outside: 

   I make it a point to set 15 minutes aside in my workday to take a walk. This gives me time to clear my head and I find I am more productive throughout the day. If you don’t have 15 minutes to get your blood flowing, try to squeeze in a few moments to step outside to take a few deep breaths of fresh air. You will be amazed at how calming getting outside can be!

2. Let go of the small stuff: 

   Ever hear the phrase, “Don’t sweat the small stuff?” I’m sure you have, but I never knew what fell into the category of “small stuff.” I recently read an article that identified it as things that won’t matter in a year. So that sink of dirty dishes – let it go! It will get done tomorrow. Don’t let it ruin the joy of today.

3. Set time aside for the things that bring you joy: 

   Love reading but never have the time to enjoy a good book? Make the time! It may sound silly to set time aside for yourself when you are feeling stressed, but when you are feeling happy and fulfilled you will be in a better mindset to tackle your daily tasks.

4. Write lists: 

   When you have a million things floating around your head it can feel overwhelming. If you take the time to write down everything you need to get accomplished it is easier to prioritize what needs to get done today, what can wait until tomorrow, and what you can delegate to someone else.

5. Get a good night’s sleep: 

   It’s easy to neglect your sleep and work into the wee hours of the night, but setting aside a good eight hours of sleep will increase your productivity for the next day. So make time for a bubble bath or light an aromatherapy candle at dinner to set the mood for a relaxing evening. This will signal your body that it’s time to slow down and get ready for sleep.

What do you do to reduce your stress? I’d love to hear your tips in the comments!