How to simplify your life to reduce stress
Are you feeling stressed because you're overwhelmed by how many things you have to do, a never-ending to-do list, social media to distract you and people vying for your attention? It can seem endless.
I know what it's like to feel this, it's easy to fall into the trap of cramming all sorts of tasks and activities into your day. Even though your life may feel like being on a hamster wheel, you can equally uncreate this and there are 4 ways you can easily simplify your life to stress less. Let's find out how.
Stop multitasking
If you have listened to a podcast whilst exercising or responded to an email whilst in a meeting, then you have been multi-tasking. Multi-tasking is when you are jumping between multiple tasks at once.
Brain research shows that multitasking isn't as efficient as focusing on one activity at a time. A neuroscientist at Stanford University states that multitasking makes you less efficient as it slows you down and impacts your memory.
The next time you feel pressure to get through your to-do list, forget about doing two things at once, stop and focus on finishing one task before moving on.
Sign up for my free guide "5 Strategies to Bust Stress Fast" by clicking here. These strategies can help you in all areas of your life.
Respond to life with your strengths, not your weaknesses
When you lead with your strengths, you are more efficient than trying to complete activities with your weaknesses. Identify another person with a strength in an area that is your weakness to help you simplify your life as this allows the other person to utilise their talents.
If you want to learn about your strengths and challenges, click here to learn about your life purpose.
Observe what you are focusing on
Are you focused on activities where you can add the most value? It's easy to fall into the busyness trap where you are just following a routine or not consciously aware of how you are spending your time. Do you find yourself checking emails or social media regularly throughout the day? You can go here to my previous blog to learn strategies to help you with that. What percentage of your activities and where you focus are meaningful i.e. developing a skill or meaningless?
“The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.” — William James
When you expand your awareness and notice what you are focusing on, you can be intentional in your week and focus on activities that bring you more joy and fulfilment.
Cultivate quiet time
Find moments in your day to breathe and notice the quietness within. It's connecting with the here and now, the present moment.
“When I am silent, I fall into the place where everything is music.” Rumi
By slowing down and being quiet, you can listen to your intuition because trying to work out everything through your mind simply doesn't work. One simple action you can take to let go of the stress and pressure of life and find quiet time is to go for a walk in nature or by water.
Remember to notice what is going on in your life and to practice pausing to open your awareness of what you can do differently to simplify it.
Here's to living your best life!
Melissa Taylor
Future Transcendence Leadership Mentor
