Today most of us are expected to do more with less. We lead lives that are more demanding on every front\u2013work, family, social, health\u2013with little time left over to unwind. Stress affects our mental health, our well-being and our performance at work. But there are ways you can help yourself. Here are seven rituals successful people use to decrease stress and find relaxation. 1. Set up your boundaries.\u00a0In today\u2019s frantic world it\u2019s easy to feel pressure to be available 24 hours a day, but no reasonable person can maintain that as a way to live. The answer is to develop a work-life boundary ritual. Your boundary can take a lot of forms: It might mean never checking your phone after 8pm, not emailing after hours, not interrupting time you\u2019ve set aside for family or friends. 2. Claim your calm:\u00a0\u00a0If you\u2019re always running from one venture to another, one project to another, one call to another, one meeting to another, the word hectic is an understatement. The shallow, tense breathing we do when we\u2019re rushing doesn\u2019t make things any better. If you can claim even a few seconds\u2013in the car, at your desk, between phone calls\u2013for a simple attentive round deep inhaling and exhaling, it will help shut down the stress-induced or \u201cfight or flight\u201d response and guide you toward calm and relaxation. 3. Engage in mindful meditation.\u00a0With a bit more of a time investment, you can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of regular meditation. Those who meditate report that they experience more happiness, less anxiety, and greater feelings of connection and purpose. Some studies are even finding a connection to our ability to fight illness. 4. Do less, be more.\u00a0It\u2019s easy to get caught up in the idea that you\u2019re wasting time if you aren\u2019t actively doing something\u2013or even multiple things. But as the adage says, first and foremost we are human beings, not human doings. Multitasking and overwork lead to anxiety, depression, and other difficulties. Guiding yourself toward a slower pace and some regular down time will leave you calmer, more relaxed, and happier. 5. \u00a0Get up and move around. We weren\u2019t built to spend entire days hunkered over a desk staring at a screen. Movement is something you need every day. It\u2019s also one of the best ways to dissipate the energy of stress in your body. When you walk briskly or do other forms of exercise, your body releases neurotransmitters that lead to improved mood and a greater sense of well-being. Some research suggests that it may even improve blood circulation to the brain. Regular exercise\u2013even a 15-minute walk while you\u2019re thinking through a problem\u2013brings a host of benefits. 6. Sleep is a must.\u00a0With so much to accomplish in a day, sleep seems like a logical place to cut back and give yourself more time. But a sleep deficit causes all kinds of negative effects in our bodies, from increased risk of a stroke or heart attack to weight gain. On the other hand, good sleep provides you with better emotional regulation, stronger immunity and more energy. Shut off the screens and create a restful place for yourself to recharge. 7. Take control of your life.\u00a0The essence of personal success is knowing what you need to accomplish your goals and making sure you get it. Unwind, destress, and switch off when you need to so you can come back refreshed and newly motivated. Remember, every day you have a choice. Make use of these seven simple rituals so you can reactivate your energy and motivation to do all the things you want to accomplish.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Today most of us are expected to do more with less. We lead lives that are more demanding on every front\u2013work, family, social, health\u2013with little time left over to unwind. Stress affects our mental health, our well-being and our performance at work. But there are ways you can help yourself. Here are seven rituals successful<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6244,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[309],"tags":[592],"class_list":["post-6243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-banner-headline","tag-recovery-rituals","enable-dropcap","disable-2-columns"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n