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For years, I’ve enjoyed reading Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach. The book has thoughtful essays for every day of the year, covering topics on self-discovery and savoring life.
An essay I find myself returning to often is titled “Coping With Stress.” In it, the author lists 45 realistic ways to relieve stress on a day-to-day basis.
We tend to glorify our ambitions, but what good are they if we aren’t able to enjoy our lives? Finally learning to let ourselves rest may be the most noble ambition of all.
Recovery is as essential as growth is. Without it, growth is not sustainable.
We are made to thrive, not just survive. When we relieve stress, we open up to the beauty around us. This happens the minute we give ourselves room to breathe.
In this short and sweet post, I will share Sarah’s advice in her book, as well as my own methods to relieve stress.
How to Relieve Stress with Simple Abundance
- Cultivate gratitude.
- Carve out an hour a day for solitude.
- Begin and end the day with prayer, meditation, reflection.
- Keep it simple.
- Keep your house picked up.
- Don’t overschedule.
- Strive for realistic deadlines.
- Never make a promise you can’t keep.
- Allow an extra half hour for everything you do.
- Create soothing surroundings at home and at work.
- Go to bed at nine o’clock twice a week.
- Always carry something interesting to read.
- Breathe—deeply and often.
- Move—walk, dance, run, find a sport you enjoy.
- Drink pure spring water. Lots of it.
- Eat only when hungry.
- If it’s not delicious, don’t eat it.
- Be instead of do.
- Set aside one day a week for rest and renewal.
- Laugh more often.
- Luxuriate in your senses.
- Always opt for comfort.
- If you don’t love it, live without it.
- Let Mother Nature nurture.
- Don’t use your phone during dinner.
- Stop trying to please everybody.
- Start pleasing yourself.
- Distance yourself from negative people.
- Don’t squander precious resources: time, creative energy, emotion.
- Nurture friendships.
- Nourish your passion.
- Approach problems as challenges.
- Honor your aspirations.
- Set achievable goals.
- Surrender expectations.
- Savor beauty.
- Create boundaries.
- For every “yes,” let there be a “no.”
- Eliminate worry; instead of thinking “What will I do,” ask “What can I do?”
- Remember, happiness is a living emotion found in the present moment.
- Exchange security for serenity: calmness in any circumstance.
- Care for your soul.
- Cherish your dreams.
- Express love every day.
- Search for your authentic self until you find her.
My Own Tips for Stress Relief
- Nurture your sense of wonder in life.
- Listen to music that uplifts and inspires.
- Journal your thoughts freely, as if confiding in a trusted friend.
- Instead of complaining, look for solutions.
- Never take criticism from someone you would not seek advice from.
- Do something kind for yourself every day.
- Acknowledge and tend to your needs.
- Start saving for something you really want.
- Embrace seasonal joys before they pass.
- Know your worth.
- Deeply and completely accept yourself.
- Take a small step for your betterment each day.
- Acknowledge and process your emotions.
- Have the courage to ask for help.
- Have the humility to accept help.
- Be receptive to answers in unexpected places.
- Show love to a furry friend.
- Take care of a houseplant.
- Learn to enjoy your own company.
- Separate other people’s responsibilities from your own.
- Seek understanding instead of being right.
- List things that make you happy and include more of them in your life.
- Breathe deeply and listen to your heartbeat.
- Mindfully sip a warm beverage.
- Cook and enjoy a delicious meal.
- Be gracious with yourself.
- Extend that grace to others.
- Take yourself less seriously.
- Don’t take other people’s actions personally.
- Give thanks often.
If you are interested in reading more from Simple Abundance, you may purchase it on Amazon using my link. I’ll receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. I hope you enjoy the lovely lessons and daily doses of motivation from this book as much as I do.
Until next time, I wish you peace and contentment where you are.
O&K
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