We all experience times of hardship and stress, but some people find every day challenging and unpredictable. This can be due to a wide range of reasons including external influences and mental health issues that might require more complex and long-term solutions, but there is always a way to make life a little simpler and stop expecting so much of yourself. Of course, what works for one person will not necessarily work for everyone, but here are eight simple tips that might help to make your day to day life easier.
Not all of them will be relevant, but with a little consideration and creativity, most people will be able to take some inspiration from this article. The key is to make small changes and not to rush your progress or put yourself under too much pressure, as this will only add stress to your life.
Set boundaries for yourself
We all need to set boundaries and rules that define how we will live our lives as well as what behavior we will accept from the people in our lives. For example, you might set a rule that you will not look at your work emails after 6 pm, that you will not look at social media until after breakfast, you will no longer spend time with ‘friends’ who make you question your self-worth, or if you have time to spare, you will take the opportunity to spend it on self-care, and not jump into household chores.
Make mealtime simpler with planning and preparation
Significant stress which pops up every day is what to eat. We want to look after our health, but this can be difficult when we are running low on time, money, or we receive confusing messages about ‘good’ and ‘bad’ foods. We also want to do what is convenient and what makes us feel good. The two desires rarely go hand in hand and when we are pushed for time, we will revert to what is easy. Avoid the stress of having to decide what to eat at the last minute by planning your meals ahead of time. If you plan a few meals that use the same ingredients you can often make savings and preparing ingredients at the weekend can make midweek meals simpler to make.
Embrace smart technology
Technology has transformed the way we live, and while it is true that some would argue the transformation is not a positive one, there are plenty of gadgets which can make daily life easier. You could be managing your heating (and therefore reducing heating costs) wherever you are in the world on a smartphone app, turning the kettle on while you are still in bed, or staying organized and keeping in touch with friends while on the move with an Apple watch. Check out Super Watches to find out which Apple watch to buy.
Take your time
If you are one of the many people who makes impulse decisions only to regret them later, it may be time to start taking your time. Before you eat something, buy a product, say yes to a social invitation or work project, take a few seconds to think. Will saying yes impact your self-care time, family time, sleep schedule, or just generally make you feel uncomfortable? Are you saying yes for a positive reason, e.g. you want to help someone out or push yourself to try a new experience, or are you saying yes out of a sense of obligation? When you are rushing around at work or running errands, take a minute to practice breathing exercises. This will slow your heart rate, clear your mind, and make the day a little easier to deal with.
Get an early night
When we are tired, even the smallest of tasks or problems can feel overwhelming. While we are asleep our body and mind are recharging and repairing themselves from the damage of the day before, and when we do not get enough rest, we will be trying to run on a low battery. Ideally, we would all get eight hours of sleep every night, but it is not always possible to achieve. Focus on trying to get to bed earlier just one night each week or move your bedtime earlier by 30 minutes during the week. Any extra sleep you can get will help you to get the most from your day.
Make a list of daily irritations
Often the small irritations that pop up every day can gradually erode our patience and gnaw at our wellbeing. Make a list of all the points in the day when you feel irritated, from misplacing your car keys, finding your cellphone is low on battery, washing the dishes at the end of the day, or having to go to the grocery store when you are already tired from work and the school run. With all your irritations in front of you, you will be able to visualize what you can do to remove them from the day.
Declutter your home
Living in a cluttered home can lead to a cluttered mind and can make your home much harder to keep clean and tidy. A more minimalist approach can make a huge difference as you will have far less cleaning to do and more space to enjoy. Find out how to get started on decluttering your home.
Stick to routines
Routines can seem dull, but they can be helpful when trying to eliminate the unpredictability of daily life. Children do much better when they have a regular routine, and the truth is that adults need just as much structure to ensure they are productive. Try to get up at the same time each day, even on weekends, and set yourself mealtimes, bedtime, bath time, and even downtime when you can relax or pursue a hobby. This removes the need to make lots of decisions and helps the body to establish a circadian rhythm, which is important for both your physical and mental wellbeing.
