There are many things that can cause a person to stress out.  For instance, you worry about paying off a bill, health concerns, not having enough time in the day. 

By the time you try to get your life together, you feel exhausted.

But what if I told you that you had the power to take back control?

Start the New Year by feeling in control, balanced, and calmer.  Here are some tips on how you can reduce stress and step into any day with a calm mindset.

Reflect Without Judging

Anytime you are stressed out, reflect on how far you have come.  Then, you should take a deep breath.  Realize that you’ve made a lot of progress.   If you feel stuck or want clarity on how far you’ve come, take a notebook and pen or pencil.  Write down what you’ve overcome throughout the year. 

You can ask yourself:

How do I see myself?

What have I accomplished this year that gave me satisfaction?

What changes do I see for myself for the upcoming year?

What are some things that stress me out currently?

Freely write down what you feel, where you want to be.  Give yourself the chance to understand where you are and be proud.

Rest, Snooze, and Reset

Instead of trying to hustle without taking a rest or breathing, take a moment to regroup.  Set a time in your schedule to relax and have some downtime. 

If you have a busy schedule, work a 9–5 job or longer, and are always on the go, it is time to schedule out time to unwind. 

Rest without guilt.

Eventually, you will realize that your body will give you signs that it is time to slow down.

Block out time when you can chill out and do nothing productive. 

If you feel that you haven’t been resting properly, then take out time to close your eyes.  Allow yourself to drift off into a deep sleep.

When you set out time for yourself. You build habits that create a balanced lifestyle. Small adjustments to better your overall life can go a long way.

Ease the tension in Your Body

Are you so stressed out to the point you feel tension in your body? 

It is time to loosen up your body.

A simple way to ease that built up tension is to stretch the body.  There are a ton of exercises that can help release physical tension.  For example, rotate the shoulders or circle your neck clockwise and counterclockwise.

You could even take a quick walk.   Do something that doesn’t stress you?  The key is to keep yourself balanced, regulate your hormones, and boost your mood.

You should do this on a daily basis so you can make it a habit to establish self-care for yourself.

Surround Yourself With Support

I think it is imperative to surround yourself with a support system.  I know that when it comes to figuring out what needs to be done before the New Year, it can become overwhelming, especially when you try to do everything at once by yourself.

Surround yourself with people that make you feel at peace and encourage you to accomplish your goals.  Also, do not go into the New Year with people that drain your energy.

Enjoy life with people that make you feel good about yourself, seen, heard, and remind you how valuable you are. 

Realize that it is okay to have boundaries and that you do not have to please everyone.  You only need to please yourself.

Trust your instincts.

Switch up how you feel in your environment

Your environment can have a major impact on your overall wellbeing. 

There are many things that can make you feel overwhelmed in your environment.  For example, if you have a messy space.  You should probably declutter. I know when I have a cluttered space I feel overwhelmed.  But once it is clean, I feel as though I am more relaxed and want to get things done without exhausting myself.

If you know a space you settle in to do work or unwind, take time to tidy up.  You’ll feel very comfortable and at ease in your space.

Another reason you may want to switch things up is that you want to heal.  Maybe something happened when you are ready to escape. 

Whatever the case may be, don’t let it define what you are capable of.  You got this.  Believe in yourself.

Be Intentional of what you want

Give yourself intentions this New Year instead of resolutions. Figure out what is important for you.

What kind of vibe do you want for yourself for the New Year?

How do you want to feel?

For instance, you may want to focus more on yourself.  Another is to make progress by doing something a little bit each day.

Allow yourself to accept change and adapt.  This will allow room for flexibility and growth.

Take a deep breath

Anytime you are overwhelmed or feel that everything around you is going fast, take a moment to pause.

It is absolutely more than okay.

Every day is a chance to be present and open to receiving opportunities that better you.

Final Thoughts

You do not have to wait until the New Year to feel refreshed.  Using some of these techniques should build a foundation for you to fall back on when things become too much.

Find ways to cope.

Give yourself the chance to start fresh each day.

The biggest gift you can give yourself is a meaningful life at your own pace.

You’ll be ready to take on anything that comes in the year ahead.

It’s your turn

Take a moment to pause right now.

What is one small shift you can do that will create less stress in your life?

Did you think of anything?

Write it down.  If not, write words that describe how you want to feel.  Small shifts equal big wins.

Share how you cope when you are stressed and want to feel refreshed.   What do you plan to do for yourself this year?