A lot of the pressure and stress we tend to experience is brought on by little choices we make or don’t make throughout the day. There are many simple ways to lighten the load and become more aware of how easily we bring stress upon ourselves.
24 ways to unburden yourself
Here are 24 ways to drop the load off your back and feel free.
1. Sleep as late as you want on your days off.
Getting plenty of rest is essential in the reduction of stress and illness.
2. Quit things that don’t interest you
If a book doesn’t interest you within the first 3 or 4 chapters, a movie doesn’t interest you within the first 20 or 30 minutes, or a TV show doesn’t interest you within the first 2 or 3 episodes, stop reading/watching/wasting your time.
It’s okay to quit things that don’t interest or enlighten you.
3. Forgive yourself
Forgive yourself when you can’t show up. You can always try again tomorrow.
4. Dress comfortably
Dress for comfort and not to follow any fashion trend. Outer comfort contributes to inner comfort. When you feel comfortable wearing something, you automatically look good in it.
5. Be yourself
Do whatever makes sense to you, even if it doesn’t make sense to other people. Only you have to live with the choices you make.
Also read: 89 inspiring quotes on being yourself.
6. Start your day with music, not social media
Avoid starting your day with mindless social media browsing. If you must, reach for a book or listen to music instead.
7. Have complete rest days
Take a day off from literally everything whenever possible. Give yourself a break. Relax. Do nothing.
8. Cut out negative people from your life
Stop interacting with people who make you feel low. Cut toxicity out of your life.
9. Reward yourself with your favorite comfort food
Indulge in your favorite comfort food from time to time. You deserve it.
10. Do not feed negativity
Be willing to walk away and ignore comments that threaten to compromise your peace of mind.
11. Celebrate little wins
Celebrate the baby steps and little victories in life. All progress is good progress.
12. Stay technology free for a day
Detach from technology and spend quality time with loved ones and/or pets on a daily basis.
The excessive use of technology worsens depression, weakens the mind, and wastes valuable time that could and should be spent on cultivating joy and productivity.
13. Practice time management
There are plenty of hours in a day when you know how to utilize them.
14. Let it all out
Vent to someone who cares about you. It’s important to get your thoughts and concerns off your chest rather than let them consume you from the inside out.
15. Create a happy place
Find or create a “happy place,” whether it’s in your home or a separate location. Go there when stress, anxiety or depression gets the best of you.
16. Create to-do lists
Create simple weekly to-do lists when you feel overwhelmed.
Being able to physically see what you need to do and check things off as you go helps eliminate the stress of feeling as though you lack proper time management.
17. Avoid conversations that drain you
Avoid topics of conversation that bore or distress you. You are never obligated to talk about anything or anyone you don’t want to.
18. Give yourself freedom to reschedule things
Do not hesitate to cancel or reschedule plans if you don’t feel up to following through with them. You are only obligated to yourself and your own mental and physical health.
19. Don’t feel obligated to attend calls
Let certain calls go to voicemail and certain texts go unanswered.
You don’t always have to be glued to your phone, especially if it distracts you from enjoying yourself and the people you love.
20. Don’t feel guilty to say NO
Say no when the answer is truly no. Overextending yourself to please others is toxic and entirely unnecessary.
21. Spend time alone
Spend some time alone every day, even if it’s only for 10 or 15 minutes. Alone time clears your mind and rejuvenates your soul.
Also read: 15 reasons why you need to spend time alone.
22. Find a creative outlet for your pain and confusion.
Getting your negative thoughts and emotions out in front of you in a creative and productive way is an excellent tool for healing and stress relief.
23. Make time for fun
Don’t let day-to-day monotony keep you from doing what you enjoy.
24. It’s okay to change your mind
Know that it’s okay to change your mind, change your path, change your priorities. Change is the only thing you can count on in life. Embrace it.
