(Source IMG GOOGLE)
Are you in control of your life, or is your life controlling you? Perhaps you own too many "toys" that are consuming your time and enerygy, not to mention your finances. Maybe your job is causing you stress and keeping you from your friends, your family, and the things you enjoy. Sometimes even the people around us can be a drain on our time and energy, especially our emotional energy.
A growing number of people are learning to simplify their lives to reduce stress. Participants are committed to reducing the clutter, financial drain, job stress, and other areas of their lives that are keeping them from having what they consider to be most important, time with loved ones and connection with their community.
Does this mean doing without or taking a vow of poverty? Not at all. It just means finding joy in what you have, doing with less , living within your means, and reconnecting with your family, friends, and community. It means living a more balanced, as well as healthier, life. Research has shown that people in high-stress jobs have blood pressure approximately ten points higher than those in less stressful jobs. Studies have also shown that" people with a high ratio of credit card debt to income were in worse physical health than those with less debt.
The mental health community recognizes the toll stress, can have on mental and emotional health. Studies have shown that reducing stress and simplifying can help alleviate such tension-related disorders as insomia, anxiety, muscle spasms, fatigue and headache.
Perhaps you've already recognized the need to cut down, cut back, and make things simpler, but you seem to be caught on a merry-go-round and you dont know how to get off. Let's look at some of the major areas that could be causing you difficulty and make some simple suggestions that might help you move toward simplication.
Stuff
If you like many Americans, you probably own too many things. Advertisers get rich perpetuating the false notion that "keeping up with the Joneses" will help you feel better about yourself and more important.Electronics
Set boundaries on your electronics. Yes, you can actually turn off your cellphone at a reasonable hour and shut off your internet and not check your emails after a certain time or even all weekends.
..This picture taken in my own classroon.Being a teacher is not an easy job as well. We have a lot of things to do....We have to find ways to get in touch to our family....
- Job
While not many of us have the luxury of quitting our jobs, there are ways to take control over the time you spend working. Set boundaries and keep a balanced perspective on your job. Leave it at the appointed time, dont let work carry over into the weekend and spend the extra time with those you love, getting some exercises and doing something enjoyable and fun.
4.Finance/Debt
Make a reasonable financial plan and stick to it. Purpose to live within your means, paying cash as often as you can. Hire a financial palnner, if you can, who will show you how to pay off your credit card or credit, start saving and put some money away for retirement.
My co-teachers.....
- People
Yes, people can cause stress , especially those who are toxic or negative. Some people you may not be able to completely avoid, but you can limit your time with them and set boundaries on your emotions.
Simplifying your life can be a difficult task, but you can do it......one step at a time. Once you have the momentum, you'll find yourself tackling areas you previously thought were impossible to change.
