De-stress for a Happier Life

When it comes to living a healthy life a huge factor in ensuring we are healthy is managing our stress levels. While we recognise that a certain stress is unavoidable, and even positive, the problem is underlying chronic stress. At the heart of this is, it’s usually doing too much in general, committing to more than we can and ultimately having a lack of clarity of what's important.

Our time is finite and there are only 24 hours in the day. At the centre of reducing stress is being clear of what is important and even who is important.

Stress is known as the “silent killer” and therefore managing stress is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. Chronic stress can lead to a variety of health issues, including cardiovascular disease, weakened immune function, anxiety, and depression.

Personally, this year I suffered from burnout and required to weeks off on sick leave. Fortunately, I was able to recover quickly and as a result have made changes which are impacting positively my in blood pressure and overall health and happiness.

Here are 10 lifestyle choices and hacks to help reduce daily stress:

1. Prioritize and Set Boundaries: Identify the most important tasks and relationships in your life. Focus on what truly matters and learn to say 'no' to activities or commitments that do not align with your priorities. This will help in managing your time more effectively and preserving energy for what’s truly important.

2. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation: Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine. Mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, or even short breaks to breathe deeply and stay present can significantly reduce stress levels.

3. Exercise Regularly: Physical activity is a powerful stress reducer. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Whether it’s walking, running, cycling, yoga or swimming; try to mix and match these activities. Learn to enjoy exercising ??.

4. Maintain a Balanced Diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can help your body cope better with stress. Avoid excessive caffeine and stop drinking coffee after noon. Also avoid process foods and excessive sugar, and alcohol as these will increase stress levels and affect sleep quality.

5. Get Good Sleep: Establish a sleep routine as quality sleep is essential for managing stress. Aim for 8 hours of sleep per night. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and ensure your sleep environment is conducive to rest (cool, dark, and quiet). I suggest you set a daily alarm as a reminder. Remember that sleep affects every cell in your body!

6. Stay Engaged & Connected: Social support is vital for stress management. Make time to connect with friends and family members who are supportive and understanding. Share your feelings and experiences with them, and reciprocate by offering support to others.

7. Declutter and Organize and Declutter: A cluttered environment can contribute to stress. Take time to organize your living and working spaces. Simplifying your environment can make it easier to focus and reduce anxiety. There is a powerful argument for minimalism and often our focus is spread across all the stuff that we have accumulated and have.

8. Enjoy and Engage in Hobbies and Leisure Activities: Dedicate time to activities that you enjoy and that relax you. Whether it’s reading, gardening, painting, or playing a musical instrument; engaging in leisurely pursuits can provide a necessary break from daily stressors.

9. Time Management Techniques: Utilize effective time management strategies like time-blocking, the Pomodoro Technique or Eisenhower Matrix to better structure your day. This can help prevent feeling overwhelmed and increase productivity, leaving more time for those things that matter.

10. Do nothing: Take time out to smell the roses, look at out the window and simply be. Get into the habit of doing this regularly. I’m suggesting 10 to 20 min, it can make all the difference!

Implementing these lifestyle choices and hacks can help you create a more balanced, less stressful life. Remember, it's essential to regularly re-evaluate your habits and commitments to ensure they align with your life purpose. Having clarity and prioritizing self-care and being mindful of your limits are fundamental steps towards a healthier, a less stressed and more fulfilling life.

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Hi, I’m an engineer that 5 years ago moved into the fitness space. Longevity is a field I’m interested in, and I share my findings with my community.? My team and I coach primarily people in the 40s and 50s on how to live healthy, build muscle, sleep great and reduce stress by creating great habits.

I’m a marathon runner who loves to lift weights. I follow the hybrid lifestyle; who said that running and lifting can’t go well together? At 57 I believe age is just a number. Mentors such as Andrew Huberman and Peter Attia are world-class scientists who I follow to ensure that my advice and coaching is science-based.