Tips To De-Stress Your Life

Americans have too much stress--too many demands on our lives. We have to de-stress.

First, we can learn to live more simply. We do not have to have the latest and greatest electronics, the biggest houses or SUV's or eat at the most expensive restaurants in town.

We don't have to vacation at the finest resorts in the world. Simple is better if you cannot afford the best. Stop trying to keep up with neighbors, friends, and family.

This creates too much stress as we rack up more and more debt and then have to worry about how to pay it all back. We are forced into high-stress, better-paying jobs that we hate. Even worse, we may be forced to take a second job to pay for it all.

De-stress by selling the expensive house and vehicle and get an older house in a less exclusive neighborhood. Get a small, used vehicle. You will not stress out about the high payments and you will have to put in less time on the job which means more free time for you and your family.

There is no shame in this. If your rich friends think there is, they are not really your friends anyway, just snobs who are not worthy of your time.

Your job, especially one that you hate, creates a lot of stress. You can de-stress by finding a less demanding job. It will probably pay less but if you enjoy it, it will be worth it.

You can also start planning to create a business of your own based on something that you enjoy doing. For instance, you could create your own website business.

Earn money writing about something you are passionate about. Teach others a skill that you find fascinating. It can take the place of your day job earnings if you work at it.

A great way to de-stress is to get healthy. Eat right (no junk food and no second helpings) and exercise everyday if possible. Make the time to exercise as it is so important for your body.

De-stress by getting a pet. They say a dog is man's best friend. Take long walks with your dog. Snuggle with a cat or a dog while you read a relaxing book.

Get a new hobby or two and work on them at least a few times a week. There are so many hobbies to choose from. A hobby will help you erase stress from your life and give you something to look forward to. It is good to make time for yourself in this busy world.

Make the decision to stop worrying about things you cannot control. You cannot control how others act or how they treat you or feel about you.

Case in point--Several years ago at church, I met someone who I thought would make a great friend, someone to go shopping with, talk to, pray with, etc. I tried to talk to her at church whenever possible. I tried to sit near her as often as there was room in the pew. If I got there first, I would save her and her husband a seat. I called her on the phone. I sent cards of encouragement. I thought we were friends. I did everything you would do for a friend but got nothing in return. No calls, no cards, no invitations to go out and get a cup of coffee or grab lunch, nothing.

At first I did not think anything of it, just that she was busy. I was busy too but continued on....

Each Sunday, I would wait around while she talked to others, hoping to get a chance to talk to her. If that chance came, it was a brief exchange and she would quickly move on to someone else or say she had to go and head for the door. She would then make a quick exit and I would go home stressed out, wondering what I was doing wrong. I tried harder.

After more than a year of this, she invited me to her house one evening and basically told me that I was bothering her. She said she had a lot of friends and the implication was that I was not needed by her. Imagine my embarrassment and humiliation at that moment. I just wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole....(Unfortunately, it did not open.)

I had tried to be the best friend I knew how to be--caring, supportive.....I could not understand what I had done wrong.

The answer is nothing. I did nothing wrong. I was just not someone she wanted for a friend. I was not her cup of tea. Instead of waking up and realizing this and accepting it when she first acted like I was nothing to her, I continued on, trying harder, stressing myself out, over and over. It was a vicious cycle.

You cannot control others or make them like you so do not waste your time and effort trying. Just let go and de-stress. There are a lot of other people who are happy to be friends with me.

Another big area of stress that I touched on earlier is finances. De-stress your financial life by cutting up your credit cards. Stop charging. Pay off your credit cards.

Build an emergency savings account. Build it to $1000 to start with. Continue to let it grow until you have at least three months of household expenses in the fund. Do not go shopping with it. Save it for emergency repairs or the loss of your job.

You have heard the saying, "pick your battles carefully". Don't argue and fight over every little thing that your spouse or children want to do that you do not want done. Choose your battles and make sure they are worth the stress they will cause.

Along with eating healthy and exercising, get relaxing massages often to help you de-stress your life.

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