8 ways to be better at winning your fight against stress.

If work is the primary source of our stress, what we do when we aren’t working is the antidote for keeping stress under control.

One of my four tenets of equanimity is heath and its nonnegotiable.

I believe focusing on better health physically and mentally keeps stress under control and creates diversions that enable us to keep work in proper perspective. 

Most people work a lot. I've done it myself for decades and have been able to maintain a prolific pace by making health top priority. There’s a correlation.

However, many people just work long hours believing that’s the secret recipe for success and neglect other aspects of their life that are essential for a more satisfying life.

A study from Stanford University discovered than productivity declines after 55 hours of work per week.

We need to make health and wellness top priority to achieve maximum success at work not work more hours believing that's synonymous with productivity.

Here are 8 things I think can help as walk away from work and decompress:

“It is not a daily increase, but a daily decrease. Hack away at the inessentials.”

– Bruce Lee

Boundaries with technology

I love technology. The problem, its easy to feel constantly connected and fail to establish boundaries that allow us to disconnect.

Answering e mails around the clock and constantly checking social media creates stress by producing a sense of urgency that's artificial.

We need to create a schedule that allows us to be in control of digital consumption.

My time

It can be incredibly challenging to find time for our self. However, it’s imperative.

Set aside time, preferably early, when we can focus on passions that invigorate our soul.

Early mornings are best because mental energy peaks early in the day.

People with young children and demanding careers will need to be deliberate about creating space in your schedule for quality time.

Health

There’s no excuse for not making health top priority. Normally, we just don’t like the pain and discomfort of a consistent health regiment.

Exercise reduces stress and helps stimulate creativity.

Find activities that inspire you to move your body and do it often.

Be curious

It’s no mystery that curiosity fades as we get older.

Studies have shown children under the age of 5 are most curious and then curiosity precipitously declines as we age.

Pasion is something we create, and it requires effort and a big imagination. Play is essential for promoting curiosity and it will help stimulate creativity. Things like playing music, reading, writing, painting, or even playing catch with our kids cultivate passion.

Family time

I see many people on vacation dabbling on their phones when they could be playing with their kids.

I noticed this at the park when my kids were growing up. I would be playing tag while other parents used the park as a babysitter while they did additional work.

When we make family a top priority, stress dissipates. It also elevates happiness.

“Stress is caused by being ‘here' but wanting to be ‘there.'

– Eckhart Tolle

Be spontaneous

I love routines and argue they are essential for success.

However, being spontaneous is equally as important.

Try something new and plan something fun. The anticipation is what energizes our sense of pleasure, and it’s a healthy source of pleasure.

Looking forward to something fun is a great way to keep our mood in a favorable position.

Form routines

As I mentioned earlier, routines are essential.

I get up at 3:30 am each day, even on the weekends. I don’t break my routine and my routine is the reason I get so much accomplished.

Once we train our body to get up early, we no longer need an alarm clock. Our circadian rhythms do the work and we respond accordingly.

Disrupting this natural cycle is the reason so many people feel exhausted and emotionally depleted.

Form routines and stay focused on training our mind and body to perform at there very best.

Plan and prepare

I stay productive on the weekends. I get work done and use time efficiently to plan my week ahead so everything operates like a well-oiled machine.

I am surprised how many people want great success but squander their weekends rewarding themselves for all the hard work they did during the previous week.

Find time to plan so we can focus on execution when its required.

“Much of the stress that people feel doesn't come from having too much to do. It comes from not finishing what they've started.”

Sum it up

Any healthy suggestions for alleviating stress? Share your thoughts in the comments section and please like and share this article. I love learning from you as well.

About Steve:

Steve Wohlenhaus is CEO of Weatherology, the leading company in the world at disseminating audio weather information.  Steve began his career as a major market television weather anchor in Minneapolis, where he received several Emmy Awards for science programming. Steve is an author and host of the podcast program Anatomy of Success. Reach out and connect with me on LinkedIn and grab the FREE Weatherology mobile app by clicking on a picture in the article!