Stress Proof Your Life: Simple Tips for Balance and Peace of Mind

Guest Post by Lindsey Chastain

As a mother of four teenagers running three businesses and a small farm with four dogs, 27 chickens, and 14 ducks, I know firsthand how overwhelming life can be. Juggling all these responsibilities can sometimes make it feel like stress is constantly looming over me. Stress proofing my life can seem too hard in some moments. 

If you can relate, then you know how important it is to find ways to relieve stress and prevent it from taking over your life. In this article, I’ll be sharing some practical tips that have helped me manage stress and find more balance in my busy life. So, if you’re ready to take control of your stress and reclaim your peace of mind, keep reading!

I have some practical tips that have helped me manage stress and find more balance in my busy life. If you’re ready to take control of your stress and reclaim your peace of mind, then keep reading and discover how these tips can work for you!

Take time for self-care

I can’t stress this enough – self-care is so important for managing stress. For me, physical self-care means taking a hot bath with some bubble bath and lavender oil, going for a walk with my dog, or taking time to read something just for fun. 

When it comes to emotional self-care, I like to journal about my thoughts and feelings or talk to a close friend about what’s going on in my life. 

By taking time to care for myself, I’m better able to handle stress and feel more balanced.

Schedule self-care time into your calendar. Whether it’s a weekly yoga class or a daily walk in the park, set aside dedicated time for yourself and make it a priority. Remember, taking care of yourself isn’t selfish – it’s necessary for your well-being.

Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment, and it can be a powerful tool for reducing stress. 

When I need to de-stress, I like to practice mindful breathing. I’ll take a few deep breaths and focus on the sensations of my breath moving in and out of my body. 

Another way I like to practice mindfulness is by engaging in a favorite activity, like crafting and coloring or cross-stitching. When I fully immerse myself in the activity, I find that my mind naturally lets go of worries and stress.

Try a mindfulness app. There are a variety of mindfulness apps available, such as Headspace or Calm, that offer guided meditations and other helpful tools for practicing mindfulness. Apple fitness also offers guided meditations. Find one that resonates with you and make it a part of your daily routine.

Exercise regularly

Regular exercise is not only good for our physical health but can also have a positive impact on our mental health by reducing stress and improving mood. If you choose activities that you enjoy, it will be a lot easier to stick to a regular routine. 

There are tons of great videos on YouTube and fitness apps to try out new exercises. I love yoga and Pilates, but also enjoy just turning on my favorite music and dancing around or working out all of my frustrations with a heavy bag.

Start small by adding short bursts of activity into your day, such as taking a brisk walk during your lunch break or doing a few yoga stretches before bed. Gradually increase your activity level over time and find activities that you genuinely enjoy. Remember, exercise doesn’t have to be grueling or time-consuming to be effective. Even short bursts of activity can help reduce stress and improve overall health.

Take advantage of the spring warmth and maybe take a walk outside or find some other outdoor activities that also involve movement.

Stay organized

When things get chaotic, it’s easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed. One of the best ways to combat this is by staying organized. For me, this means keeping a planner to track my to-do list and appointments, and tidying up my home and workspace to minimize clutter.

Digital clutter can also contribute to feelings of overwhelm and stress. This can include overflowing email inboxes, unused apps, and disorganized computer files. Taking time to digitally declutter can make a big difference in how you feel.

Set aside time each week to declutter and organize both your physical space and digital space. Unsubscribe from unwanted email lists, delete unused apps, and organize your computer files into folders. Start small – maybe tackle one area at a time – and before you know it, you’ll have a more organized home and digital space, and less stress.

Practice gratitude

When we’re stressed, it’s easy to focus on the negative and forget about the good things in our lives. Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to shift our mindset and reduce stress. 

For me, this means taking a few minutes each day to write down things I’m thankful for, like my family, my health, and the beautiful nature around me on my farm. Focusing on the positive helps me feel more centered and grateful for what I have.

Start a gratitude journal and make it a daily practice to write down a few things you’re thankful for. It can be as simple as a delicious cup of coffee or a beautiful sunset. Focusing on gratitude can help shift your perspective and reduce stress.

Learn to say “No”

One of the biggest contributors to stress can be taking on too many responsibilities. Learning to say “No” can be a powerful tool for reducing stress and protecting your time and energy. For me, this means being honest with myself about what I can realistically handle and politely declining invitations or requests when I need to prioritize my own well-being.

Practice saying “no” in low-stakes situations, such as declining a social invitation or turning down a small favor. As you get more comfortable with saying “no”, you’ll find it easier to set boundaries and protect your time and energy. Remember, saying “no” isn’t selfish – it’s an act of self-care.

Get enough sleep

Sleep is crucial for our physical and mental health, and getting enough of it can help reduce stress and improve our overall well-being. 

For me, this means making sleep a priority by sticking to a regular sleep schedule, creating a calming bedtime routine, and making sure my sleeping environment is comfortable and conducive to sleep. I use the bedtime function on my iPhone to remind me when it’s time to turn off screens and start to wind down for the night.

Set a bedtime for yourself and stick to it as much as possible. Avoid using electronic devices before bed, and instead, opt for relaxing activities like reading or taking a warm bath. Make sure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet, and invest in comfortable bedding and a supportive mattress. By prioritizing sleep, you’ll be better equipped to handle stress and feel more rested and rejuvenated.

Everyone’s stress management journey is different. By trying out different techniques and finding what works best for you, you can reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.

About the author

Lindsey Chastain – Puker Up Beauty Blog

Pucker Up Beauty is a vibrant lifestyle blog that provides insightful tips, tricks, and advice on all things beauty, fashion, and wellness.  From makeup tutorials and product reviews to fashion trends and lifestyle hacks, Pucker Up Beauty covers a wide range of topics to help readers achieve their goals of self-improvement and self-care. The blog’s clean and minimalistic design, coupled with its visually stunning images, make for an enjoyable and informative reading experience. With a focus on inclusivity and authenticity, Pucker Up Beauty is committed to providing a platform that promotes body positivity, diversity, and representation in the beauty industry. 

In case you enjoyed reading Lindsey article, you can find more similar posts on her blog. Also, you can find there an interesting article I wrote about Skincare Myths.

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