11 Surprising Secrets to a Stress-Free Life

Many people desire to live a life with less stress, but they may not know how to achieve this goal. Thankfully, well-adjusted people aren’t shy about passing along their strategies for combating anxiety. Recently, people met online to reveal the tips, techniques, and tricks they regularly use to ensure their lives are as stress-free as possible!

1. Be Mindful of Who You Spend Your Time With

In other words, don’t be afraid to eliminate toxic people in your life! Life is too short to be surrounded by people who bring you down, carry negative energy, and don’t improve your quality of life. Countless people admit that cutting out particularly toxic family members from their lives greatly impacted their happiness levels. It makes sense: Removing negativity breeds positivity!

2. Don’t Overshare

Let’s be honest: We’re all guilty of oversharing in 2023. However, many men and women quickly realize this habit only contributes to the ever-growing stress in their lives! “I got myself in so much trouble thinking that people are kind and I can tell them everything and they won’t turn or twist it or use it against me, but that is what they did,” confesses one woman. “Do not overshare. Do not let anyone except your close family (or chosen family) know a word about you.”

3. Don’t Have Kids

I’m not saying that children are the cause of stress; I’m only suggesting that there seems to be a correlation between happy people and those without kids! One woman puts it all into perspective. “My last class reunion, I was marveling at how young most of my classmates looked, then afterward they jokingly had an email ‘poll’ discussing who had aged the least, and literally every person voted for me. I pointed out that I’d skipped having children.”

4. Practice Gratitude

Like many people, I often forget to practice gratitude. Being thankful for what you have and where you are in the world is easy to overlook, but daily gratitude can be highly beneficial to your well-being. “Being grateful for what you have is the key to happiness,” reveals one thoughtful woman. I couldn’t have put it better myself!

5. Stop Caring About Pleasing Others

As humans, we spend an excessive amount of time trying to please others. Experts and non-experts agree that this is a waste of time. Instead of caring about pleasing others, focus on pleasing yourself! It’s okay to be selfish; too many of us allow our mental well-being to suffer because we prioritize external influences instead of the things that will make us happy!

6. Try Not to Focus on Material Things

One of the most vital rules to follow is to quit focusing on “stuff.” Caring too much about material possessions means losing focus on what truly matters in life. “Stuff really doesn’t make anyone happy, and caring too much about your possessions only makes you more worried,” explains one woman. “I was a shopaholic, so it has been a little hard, but every day, I find myself not buying as much anymore. I have never cared about appearances and owning luxury things, so I’m good.”

7. Don’t Gossip

It’s a lesson most of us were taught at a young age, but it’s nevertheless something we can’t stay away from. Spreading gossip is infectious, but it harms our mental health. Countless men and women admit to participating in gossip, whether in the office or among friends and family. It takes some serious self-control, but trust me: It’s possible not to gossip!

8. Stay Away From Social Media

By this point in 2023, everyone acknowledges the toxic nature of social media, but men and women are still hopelessly addicted to it! Just like it’s imperative to cut out toxic people from your life, it’s equally important to eliminate unhealthy addictions. Whether you spend untold hours scrolling through Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or other services, your mental health suffers each time you load up a social media app!

9. Get Good Sleep

Maintaining a good sleep schedule and constantly waking up at the same time each morning is a strategy that works well in keeping a stress-free life. One person, wise beyond her years, puts it in a way we can all relate to: “Being extra well-rested makes tackling adversity a lot easier,” she reveals. I couldn’t have said it better myself; I woke up today feeling great and ready to tackle all of life’s problems!

10. Set Boundaries

According to many men and women, setting boundaries (and sticking to them!) is paramount to building a stress-free life. Remember, it’s okay to say “no” to someone. Whether it’s a coworker, friend, or family member, setting boundaries is a healthy way to protect your mental health. Don’t confuse setting boundaries with putting up walls; if people in your life care about you and respect your decisions, they won’t see it as a wall.

11. Be More Self-Reliant

Being self-reliant is easier said than done, especially if you’re in a co-dependent relationship with one or more people. “Try and be more self-reliant, whether emotionally, financially, or physically,” explains one woman. “As you age, you realize that you’ve got to protect yourself, and you are your only savior!” Ultimately, you’re responsible for your happiness, so take the necessary steps to ensure you have the tools to make that happen.

Source: Reddit.

Habits Women are Throwing Away as They Age

10 Habits Women are Ditching as They Grow Older