Being stressed, having no time, and prioritizing others over oneself sounds like a normal way of living, right? Well, this kind of lifestyle is indeed normalized in our society. It seems that the busier you are the more respectable you look. But, honestly, do you buy it? Don’t you feel sick and tired of being sick and tired all the time? Here’s a bunch of inspiring ideas for how to live a relaxed life.
1. Practice mindfulness
It seems wherever you go it all comes back to mindfulness, right? If you’re a little skeptical about this practice, you shouldn’t be. You see, there’s nothing mystical or very spiritual about it. It’s only logical to stop and remind yourself a few times a day to look at yourself and all around you, savoring the present moment with all its aspects.
One of the reasons we are often so stressed out is because our mind is dwelling on the past or feeling anxious about the future. But if you think about it, this present moment is all we truly have.
The present moment is the most fleeting thing there is. That is why catching it with your undivided attention gives you so much power, strength, and serenity. If it’s easier for you, set an alarm every few hours to remind yourself to stop whatever you’re doing and just be here and now.
2. Declutter
I wanted to suggest becoming a minimalist, but I understand that it’s not necessarily everyone’s cup of tea. However, I am completely convinced that the majority of people have an abundance of useless things that they would be a lot better off without.
Freeing yourself from things that are of no use to you promotes mental clarity and a more relaxed lifestyle. Less stuff means quicker decisions and less maintenance.
Allow yourself a day or two to go over your belonging and see if there’s anything that you don’t use, wear, or doesn’t spark joy in you any longer. Divide your home into segments, such as your wardrobe, the kitchen, even your computer, and clean them out one after another.
To get inspired instead of being overwhelmed at the very beginning, start with the least cluttered part of your home.
3. Manage your time
Apply the 20/80 rule. This rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, says that 20 % of activity accounts for 80 % of results. It’s applicable to most aspects of human activity, from world economics to personal life.
It means that most of your time and effort is used up trying to accomplish trivial things while the most important things get the least amount of your attention. So what are your 20 %?
If you want to be a relaxed and happy person, you’ll have to learn how to say “no” and say it firmly. Prioritizing the numerous tasks you took up on yourself will lead you nowhere.
Because you simply have to start doing fewer things but the most important ones and do them better. The “Yes Man” principle only works when you have absolutely no idea what to do with your life. Otherwise, figure out what’s essential and stick with it.
4. Stop procrastinating
This is a major one. You have to understand that putting the important things off only harms you in so many ways. When you think about it, procrastination is postponing the pain of doing something you don’t like in order to have a momentary pleasure of doing something you enjoy. But it usually comes at a cost of rush, stress, and self-beating. So pull yourself together and begin changing your mindset.
Start with small things. If there’s something that requires less than 5 minutes to accomplish, do it now or at least do it today. If there are simple tasks that you do on a regular basis, automate them.
Train your decision making “muscle” with small everyday problems to prepare yourself for the bigger ones. And, finally, manage your distractions, such as social media and phone notifications. Give yourself 5 minutes every hour of uninterrupted work to indulge in them instead.
5. Simple daily pleasures
To become more relaxed you need to take care of yourself and enjoy life every day. No, let’s make it multiple times per day!
Sprinkle simple little pleasures throughout your day. It can be anything that sparks joy in your eyes, puts a smile on your face, inspires you, and calms you down. After all, those are the moments that we truly live for.
6. Change the scenery
If you trap yourself in one place physically, you lock your mind with it too. If you work in an office, don’t stay there during your lunch hour and go and spend it outside. If you’re a freelancer, don’t work at home every day, try out other places such as cafes, libraries, parks.
Allow yourself to travel more. It doesn’t have to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip around the world. Go smaller but do it more often. Treat yourself with weekend getaways to spend some time in nature or in another town.
And in general, don’t lock yourself up within four walls for too long. Go and spend more time outside, no matter the weather.
7. Balance solitude with companionship
If you want to pursue a more relaxed lifestyle, you should recognize how much time you need to be with others and by yourself to feel good, to thrive. This is a very personal matter. Be honest with yourself and make sure you know what works for you.
Don’t waste too much of yourself if you gain strength, energy, and peace of mind while alone. On the other hand, don’t spend too much time alone either, as we all need some good company to share our experiences and restart our thoughts. Find your own balance.
Honor and truly be with whomever you choose to be, whether it’s your partner, your friend, or the beloved self.
