Want to live worry-free? Try these steps to re-ignite your happiness today!
The bills are due. The kids are fighting. Your partner is less than helpful. And work just isn’t fulfilling anymore. Worries have built up and happiness seems like it burned out years ago.
Sound familiar?
Your worries are real and are like the extra 20 pounds you’ve been trying to lose - the longer you keep them, the harder they are to get rid of. No one should make light of them, but you can’t let them paralyze you. If you want to re-ignite your happiness and feel optimistic again, you need to take deliberate steps to live a worry-free life.
What Causes You to Worry?
According to a study by the American Psychological Association (APA), 27% of all adults feel they can’t function because they are too stressed out.(1) Some of the main causes of worry and stress include:
Money. 66% of the people polled in the APA study said money is a significant source of stress. 83% said inflation has them stressed out. Worrying about money can affect every part of your life. If you constantly wonder how you will pay for housing, afford food, and put gas in your car, then it is hard for happiness to find any room to grow in your heart. Relationships suffer, job performance deteriorates, and self-esteem plunges. While it might be true that money can’t buy you love, it sure can buy you a roof over your head and food in your belly, which is kinda lovely.
Work/School. Professional Resume Writers released a survey last year that reported half of the participants being concerned about losing their jobs.(2) Feeling this kind of insecurity is a major source of worry, instability, and pressure. It can affect your focus and quality of work. If you are unhappy at work, you might even bring negativity home with you and upset your family life.
Relationships. How much do people worry about relationships? A study by the Pew Research Center found almost half of all Americans worry about their love lives.(3) Honestly, relationships are what bring the most happiness to your life, so when this part of human nature is lacking, it is hard to feel fired up about anything. Let’s face it, you can have savings and a nice house and still be unhappy as a puppy at the pound if you don’t have a decent relationship.
Health. When you are unwell, everything takes a backseat. Your happiness may be just a tiny flame if you are suffering from pain, discomfort, anxiety, or depression. A recent report shows that 44% of people polled said health ranked third on their list of concerns, and mental health ranked first for the Gen Z population.(4)
There are other major issues that cause worry, stress, and anxiety. Race relations, the economy, the government, climate change, and safety are all sources of worry that Americans deal with every day.
What Steps Can You Take to Live Worry-Free?
Despite these causes of worry, lots of people live happy, fulfilled, worry-free lives, and you can, too! Although it is natural to have some down days, your happiness can be re-ignited to keep worry, anxiety, and stress manageable so they don’t control your life.
How can you live worry-free? Try these steps:
Name it. Look at the list of causes and determine where your worries originate. You can’t put your worries to rest if you can’t name what they are. If you need help working out what the source of your worries is, a counselor can help. Although it is likely to have more than one cause, list them in order of the amount of time you spend thinking about it. This is an indicator of how much worry it causes.
Budget. You have a unique financial situation. Budgeting helps you take control of your money and can strengthen your financial outlook. Free software is available to download if you are comfortable doing it on your own, or you can visit a financial advisor. This way you have professional guidance.
Seek Coaching. If you are having worries about work or school, a life coach can help you alleviate this stress. Your coach guides you through discovering what is holding you back and creates a plan to help you reach your goals.
Hang out. Spend time with the people you love. It could be anything - going for a walk, playing a game, enjoying a meal or a drink, or watching a show. And don’t let distance come between you. You can video chat and take your loved one along with you for any of your adventures, or just enjoy time catching up. Relationships need constant communication or they fall by the wayside. So plan dates and don’t make excuses not to keep them. The people you love are worth your effort - show them you value them!
Prioritize health. Your body is different from anyone else’s on this planet. And only you know what makes you truly happy and how your body functions best. But here are some things that are true for everyone- nutrition, exercise, and sleep. When you prioritize your health and make good choices about these three aspects of your life, your happiness is easier to sustain.
Learn. It doesn’t matter what, but spend a little time every day or every week learning something new. It can be anything - a new sport, game, language, hobby, instrument. This will shift your focus from what is worrying you, give you a sense of accomplishment, and broaden your skill set. Plus, it might be really fun!
Sing and dance. Okay, you can just listen if you want, but put on some music every day. There have been countless studies that connect music to happiness, stress relief, and anxiety reduction. You can put on a favorite playlist while working, doing chores, or hanging out with friends. But give yourself that time to just unwind and enjoy some tunes.
Set limits. Educating yourself concerning news and current events is important, but if you find yourself consumed with worry after scrolling or watching the news, limit your time on social media and new channels. Information should help you make educated decisions, not steal your peace.
Conclusion
A worry-free lifestyle is achievable! You can try these steps to ease your worry about money, jobs, relationships, and all the other cares that disturb your peace. Every day, put into action at least one of these practices and soon you will become a more happy, healthy, and confident YOU!
For more ways to reduce your stress and build self-confidence, visit my website at www.stephaniemariescoaching.com!
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