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“Hey mom, why don’t you just chill out?”
Do those words sound familiar to you?
Have your children ever said that to you? Or perhpas you’ve heard something similar from your friends, partner, and your pastor too.
What is your response?
If your life is busy and stressful, having the opportunity to ‘just chill out’ might not seem easy, or even possible. It’s understandable if your nerves are a little frayed, if your mind is more than a little anxious, and if your stress levels are bubbling over.
Chill out? If only you could.
Still, if you have ever longed for a more chilled-out life, it isn’t as impossible as you may think. Try the following suggestions, and you might find yourself feeling more relaxed as a consequence. You could then make it through the day with more peace, and perhaps have a better night’s sleep in the process. And with that in mind…
#1: Get plenty of sleep
Sleep is a great healer. This can be true on a physical level, and it’s true on an emotional level too. With a good night’s sleep, you will wake in the morning feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to take on whatever life throws at you. You will be more even-tempered too, so if somebody does tell you to chill out, you will be less likely to respond in a way that may leave you feeling a little guilty about afterwards. So, cut out the late nights. Go easy on the screen time as you’re winding down. Follow these tips for a better night’s sleep, and you will feel the benefits the morning after.
#2: Un-busy your schedule
It stands to reason that the busier you are, the more tired and stressed-out you can become as a consequence. You do need some time for rest and relaxation, after all. So, take a look at your schedule and find ways to make it less busy. It might be that there are things on there that you don’t need to bother yourself with at all. There could be other things that could be delegated to another. And there could be aspects of your schedule that could be made easier with the help of the people around you. You could create a family rota for the housework, for example. Take the weight off your feet then, have a look at your daily and weekly to-do list, and look for ways to make it more manageable for you.
#3: Start using the word ‘no’
It can be easy to say ‘yes’ to every request that comes your way, especially if you’re a kind and generous person. However, the more you say ‘yes,’ the busier you will become, and you will have to consider #2 on this list to simplify your life again. So, think twice before answering in the positive at home, at work, and at church. While there are things you will have to say ‘yes’ to, there are probably other requests that can be turned down, perhaps with a follow-up response of ‘not right now,’ or ‘when I have more time,’ or ‘I simply don’t have the energy to do so at the moment.’
#4: Do the things that relax you
When you have carved out time in your busy schedule, you should then have more time for you. It’s during these times that you need to use the time you have wisely, instead of finding yet another task to busy yourself with. So, you might go for a walk, read a book, go see a movie, or indulge in a spa treatment similar to those promoted at Borgata. You know yourself better than anyone, so think about the things you need to do to relax. Then add them into your weekly schedule, as those opportunities for relaxation need to be a priority in your life.
#5: Live a healthy life
An unhealthy lifestyle will only cause you to feel tired and unwell, and that is hardly conducive to a more chilled out life. So, consider your lifestyle, and if there are any changes that need to be made, then do so. It might be that you need to drink more water in the day, favoring God’s natural energy drink over caffeine and sugary sodas. You might need to get a handle on those addictions that will damage your health, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and comfort eating. You might need to exercise more in the day, especially if you don’t make time for it in your schedule already. And you might need to improve your diet if it is currently overloaded with junk food and processed microwave meals. By following healthier habits in your lifestyle, you will soon start to feel better in yourself. And when you start to feel better, you will be less prone to stress, tiredness, and those general feelings of unwellness that will cause you anxiety.
#6: Talk to somebody
Now, we have thus far suggested that your less-than-chilled-out state could be due to busyness and unhealthy living. However, if you have any pent-up problems in your life, then they could be another reason for the stress you feel in life. Some of the problems will be minor, but they might appear larger when they are left to fester in your mind. And some of the problems you have could be big ones, and they might only get worse if you don’t find people to support you. So, what we are saying is this: talk to somebody! Talk to your best friend, your partner, and to your pastor. Talk to those people who are able to offer you specific help with your larger issues. And remember to pray, and offload any of the baggage you have inside to God. Help is available to you, so don’t be afraid to share and offload, as you will start to feel more relaxed when your burdens are shared.
So, have we related to you within this article? Are you feeling less-than-chilled-out? If so, follow the steps we have suggested, and do so regularly, as you might then be blessed with a more relaxed frame of mind.
Let us know what you think, and please share any of your ideas with us below.
these ideas can really make a difference in one’s life