3 great ways to deal with stress

Dealing with stress is no easy task. Whether you’re facing an important deadline at work, having trouble getting your kids to do their homework, or struggling with a to-do list that seems to grow longer each minute, stress is an inevitable part of the lives of most Americans. Even though it’s difficult to avoid stress, there are smart ways to manage it. Here’s how to make stress, well, less stressful.

1. Take one thing at a time. Oftentimes we get stressed out when we have a lot on our to-do list. So we try doing multiple things at a time. Here’s the problem: Research shows that multitasking makes most people more stressed, not less! Studies also have shown that multitasking doesn’t help most people increase their productivity. However, when people complete tasks on their to-do lists, they experience a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. This positive feeling boosts self-esteem, which can act as motivation to tackle more tasks, creating a positive feedback loop. Achieving even small tasks can give you a sense of control over your life and reduce feelings of overwhelm and stress. So instead of multitasking, take on one task at a time.
2. Keep your to-do list as small as possible. It’s been shown that people who make to-do lists tend to get more done. However, if your to-do list is too long, it can be counterproductive. Having a long and overwhelming to-do list can lead to cognitive overload, where your mind feels cluttered and disorganized. This can result in anxiety and stress, making it harder to focus on individual tasks and perform efficiently. Keeping the list short and manageable allows you to better prioritize and concentrate on the most important tasks, leading to improved productivity and decreased stress. Try to keep your to-do list to about three important tasks per day.
3. Eat healthy and get enough sleep. Getting too little sleep and snacking all day on processed foods with little nutritional value can make you feel more stressed. New research shows that simple things like getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and taking short walks can be powerful de-stressors. Try to make small changes each week, such as bringing a healthy snack to the office or going to sleep a half hour earlier. Remember that it takes about a month for most people to form new healthy habits.