5 Ways to Simplify Stress

We get busy. A lot. It seems like everyday is filled up with schedules and lists and chaos! We drop into bed every night (or morning!) and can't shut our minds off, so we lay there and think some more.

Having three kids of my own, a husband, mortgage, job, and all the other extra-curricular activities life brings, I get it. I'm there too.

Last winter though, things spiraled out of control for me. The normally I-can-handle-it-all-wonder-woman had a bit of a breakdown. There was too much outside craziness and distractions getting into our own home. And I was unconsciously letting this happen, and eventually it had to end. I had to learn to cut ties with some things, and some people that I just couldn't help. It was all causing me to loose way to much of my own precious sleep.

It wasn't pretty, but I freed myself (mostly) and I'm getting back to a simpler kind of normal everyday chaos. Along the way I've learned a few things that will help you simplify too.

1. Take a deep breath and figure out what is important and what's not worth the stress. Does the benefit of the added stress over weigh the negative for you and your family?

2. Make a top ten list everyday. Write down the most important things that need to be accomplished.

3. Cut back. Take a day or at least an afternoon every week that you just say no to everything and stay at home. Wear your pajamas if you want and tidy up the house, or tackle a project you've been threatening to for the last six months. You'll feel better having a cleaner home, and will have a block of time that you don't feel rushed.

4. Say no to negativity. This is a tough one. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in news, whether it be national or all the way to down-right gossip we get sucked into. Then that stressful, gloomy feeling begins to take over. So take a step backwards and cut yourself off for a while. Limit TV, phone conversations with Negative Nancy, and read something inspiring. A weight will begin to magically lift off of your shoulders.

5. When in doubt, talk it out - just not too much. My husband and I do this quite frequently about people or things that bother us. It's great to have someone else to converse with but you have to be careful not to continuously talk about it, because then it becomes counter-productive and can start to stress you out more. Make sure you have a limit to the topics that frustrate you or tie your stomach in knots, then change the subject.

These are just a few of the ways I've learned to simplify my stress. What are some of your ideas??

~Melissa