Simple Ways to Beat Stress and Boost Your Happiness
Wanting to beat stress and feel happier is a goal that begins like every other lasting achievement… one step at a time. Decompressing and finding peace happen with your commitment to one small intention and one little action at a time.
In this blog post, we’re going to explore stress management and mindfulness, and how they can have a profound impact on your overall wellness and happiness – in the three parts that make you whole: mind, body, and spirit.
Whether you’re looking to prevent stress from taking a toll on your physical health or seeking ways to regain control over your emotions, this post will help you with practical strategies and tools to cultivate calm and regulate your runaway nervous system.
The Power of Mindset:
Let’s talk about the superhero of happiness: your mindset!
“It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” – Tony Robbins, motivational speaker best-selling author
By consciously choosing a positive and resilient mindset, you hold the key to transforming your life and overcoming any obstacle that comes your way.
A positive mindset is not the same as ignoring or bypassing your feelings. Emotions are important. All of them. Including the hard stuff. The grief, anger, bitterness, guilt, shame… those feelings are just as valid to your growth journey as elation, excitement, love, and fun.
What’s important about a positive mindset is that you build resilience. The resilience to bounce back from hard times and painful emotions, back to a neutral place and then a positive place.
This is where personal growth takes place. This is where you learn to cope with stress and overwhelm. The resilience that a positive mindset builds will increase your satisfaction and happiness over time. In so many ways – from simply feeling gratitude, to being able to see the lessons – the bright side – to all the ups and downs in your soul journey.
Your thoughts and beliefs play a crucial role in shaping your reality, so why not harness their power for your well-being?
Understanding Stress and Its Impact:
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but it’s important to recognize its impact on your overall health and well-being. When left unmanaged, chronic stress can lead to a wide range of physical and emotional issues, including anxiety, fatigue, heart disease, inflammation, and even compromised immune function.
That’s why it’s crucial to prioritize stress management and adopt healthy coping mechanisms to minimize its harmful effects. (Plus, prolonged stress can be depressing. And it’s hard to find happiness when you are continually in a fear-state.)
Simple Tips for Coping with Stress:
1. Take Deep Breaths
I see you, rolling your eyes. You’ve heard it before. You know your breath is SO powerful, yet you (we all) take it for granted and want to dismiss its power to regulate your nervous system and clear your energy. I hear you, how can something so simple and accessible help? Well, it does. Try it, and stick with it.
When stress starts creeping in, take a moment to focus on your breath. Breathe in deeply, hold it for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly. This simple technique activates your body’s relaxation response, helping to calm your mind and reduce stress levels.
The impact of breath on reducing physical stress indicators is not some woo story, it’s science.
Prove it to yourself. Look at your smart watch and do the breathing exercise. You will watch your heart rate slowly go down. Same for blood pressure. It’s simple, it’s real.
2. Engage in Physical Activity
I don’t love to exercise. But how I get motivated is that I think of it as daily “movement”.
I’m past the point of ever thinking I’ll have a flat stomach or a undimpled thighs… but I am motivated by feeling good, being strong, and being mobile. I’m motivated by wanting to be independent and physically capable of whatever I want to do. That might mean wanting to be able to lift my own forty-pound carry-on luggage (don’t judge, lol) into the overhead bin without assistance. I’m motivated by wanting to be fit enough to chase after grandchildren someday. To be flexible and healthy, to enjoy dancing and walking and biking. To have a strong immune system to battle viruses and reduce inflammation pain. Do I need to go on? Aren’t these reasons, on top of the stress reducing factor, valid enough to make you move your booty every day?
Regular movement is not only important for your physical health but also for your mental well-being. Find an activity that you enjoy, whether it’s going for a walk in nature (nature is another natural destressor!), practicing yoga, stretching, dancing to your favorite songs, or hitting the gym. Exercise releases endorphins, the feel-good chemicals in your brain, which help to beat stress and boost your mood.
“Pushing yourself to take simple actions creates a chain reaction in your confidence.” – Mel Robbins, motivational speaker, author
Make daily movement, of any kind, a non-negotiable for your overall well-being. Combine movement with being outdoors and in the sunshine, and it’s guaranteed to reduce stress, anxiety, and boost your mood.
3. Nurture Your Social Connections
Spending quality time with loved ones is a powerful antidote to stress. Reach out to your friends and family, schedule a coffee date, or plan a fun activity together. Sharing laughter and meaningful connections not only provides emotional support but also helps to reduce stress levels and promote a sense of belonging.
If you’re like me, you relish your alone time. But getting together with close friends or family (you enjoy) is a great way to relax and maybe share what’s making you feel so overwhelmed and robbing you of joy.
4. Prioritize Self-Care
Self-care is not selfish; it’s a vital component of maintaining a balanced and low-stress life. Set aside time each day for activities that nourish your body, mind, and soul. It could be taking a warm bath, reading a book that inspires you, practicing mindfulness or meditation, journaling your thoughts and feelings, or engaging in a creative hobby that brings you joy. Remember, self-care is a non-negotiable investment in your overall well-being.
5. Embrace the Power of Laughter
Laughter truly is the best medicine! Seek out opportunities for humor and levity in your life. Watch a funny video, read jokes, spend time with people who have a great sense of humor, or engage in activities that make you laugh.
Laughter releases endorphins, reduces stress hormones, and improves your overall mood, creating a positive ripple effect in your life. Even just sharing a few silly memes with a friend can help you both destress.
6. Introduce the Power of Faith
As a spiritual mindset coach for women I understand the transformative power of faith. Incorporating faith practices into your stress management routine can provide an extra layer of connection, guidance, support, and well-being.
7. Grounding
Take off your shoes and step outside onto the grass or soil. Feel the earth beneath your feet and visualize any stress or negative energy flowing down through your body and grounding into the earth. This simple practice helps restore a sense of stability and connection and can rebalance your energy.
8. Self-Clearing
Set aside a few moments each day for self-clearing of your mind and energy. Find a quiet space, place your hands on different parts of your body, and ask (God, creator, mother earth, whatever higher power you believe in) to flow healing light through you. Visualize this flow of energy coursing through your body – bringing balance, relaxation, and healing to your entire being.
9. Aromatherapy
Essential oils can be a wonderful complement to your stress management routine. Lavender, chamomile, bergamot, mint and other calming scents have been shown to promote relaxation and reduce stress. Add a few drops to a diffuser, mix them with a carrier oil for a soothing massage, or simply inhale their fragrances to benefit from their therapeutic properties.
“The biggest commitment you must keep is your commitment to yourself. This is your notice from the Universe that it is all right for you to take care of yourself.” – Neale Donald Walsch, Conversations with God
So, now it’s time – to take the first steps towards beating stress and inviting more happiness into your life! By embracing the power of mindset, practicing simple stress management techniques, and incorporating restorative practices, you have the tools to begin to transform your life and nurture your mind, body, and spirit.
“If you’re serious about changing your life, you’ll find a way. If you’re not, you’ll find an excuse.” – Jen Sincero, Bad Ass Habits
Cultivating a positive mindset and adopting healthy coping strategies will empower you to beat stress, boost happiness, rise above challenges and create a life filled with optimism and purpose.
Set up a free intro call with me if you think personalized and intuitive guidance on your path to well-being is something you’re interested in. I’m passionate about helping women overcome anxiety, self-doubt, and create new habits to help them thrive and change their lives.
Wishing you a day filled with serenity, resilience, and happiness.
You’ve got this, and I’ve got you. – Marlene
P.S. Want more ideas to get started changing how you feel? Get access to my FREE QuickStart Guide to Shift Your Mood and Energy here.
