Getting Stress Under Control

Getting stress under control is not always easy. With the increasing complexity of modern life, the pressure to be constantly multitasking, prioritizing, and increasing productivity can increase stress to unbearable levels. Controlling stress starts with improving organization, practicing effective time management, and carving out time for rest and relaxation.

Get Organized

Contrary to what some believe, the ultimate goal of organization is not to impress friends and family with a perfect house and well-run life. Organization is supposed to make life easier by eliminating those last-minute panics over forgotten obligations or chaotic household.

Organization starts with a good daily routine. A daily routine doesn’t have to be a rigid schedule but rather a rhythm that incorporates necessary activities into each day. Rather than waiting until the house is hopeless to clean, small housekeeping tasks incorporated into a daily routine eliminate the need for marathon cleaning sessions. Preparing for the next day the night before as part of a daily rhythm or routine makes mornings less frantic.

Also, a cluttered house can make even small tasks into a monumental pain. Clearing out unneeded and unwanted possessions may be difficult at first, but clearing out the junk will mean fewer things to care for and maintain. A clearer house also means less time spent looking for lost objects and more time to relax.

Use Time Management

Having enough time to complete all the things on a daily to-do list sometimes seems impossible. However, with a little planning, most of the items on that list can be checked off. Getting things done on time can prevent the stress of constantly running late or forgetting events and appointments.

Get a calendar or calendar software that incorporates weekly and monthly calendars, with enough space for notes and lists. Whenever a calendar comes home from school or an invitation to a party arrives, record the date and details on the monthly calendar. At the beginning of each week, take time to write down that week’s events and then record any item on your to-do list that isn’t already a part of the daily routine.

Writing everything down in one place means not having to keep track of so much information mentally. This frees up some mental space for learning, creativity, and daydreaming, which are all great for reducing stress.

Take Time to Relax

Learning to relax is a huge part of getting stress under control. Some highly efficient and organized people are very stressed, because they aren’t able to stop rushing around at a frantic pace. Everyone needs at least a few minutes each day that are purely for relaxation. This can be as simple as taking a short walk or getting a massage at the spa.

Yoga and meditation are great activities for relaxation. Meditation calms and focuses the mind, and yoga strengthens and reinforces the mind-body connection. Passive muscle relaxation and guided relaxation exercises are other great relaxation activities. Many gyms and community centers offer low-cost yoga classes, and a lot of relaxation exercises are available for free on the Internet.

Getting Stress Under Control:Why it's Important

Getting stress under control reduces the negative effects of excess tension on the mind and body. Getting organized, managing time effectively, and learning to relax are all great ways to manage and reduce the chaos of modern life. As required activities begin to fall into place, there is more time for enjoyable activities and less time spent worrying about everything that needs to be done. Stress control starts with effective life management and continues with a strong commitment to self-care.

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