Are you feeling extra stressed and overwhelmed about things that usually were a breeze?

Maybe the little things you would have normally shrugged off are causing more stress and frustration than usual.

Can you relate?

The stress of life can add up fast.

But there are simple things you can do, to keep calm, cool, and remain steady when things get crazy.

When you focus on the things outside of your control (think bad weather and aggressive drivers), you are in reaction mode.

That is not a fun place to be. It’s like you’re waiting for the next big problem to hit, so you are always on alert.

Now imagine you shift your focus to the things you can control (like your daily habits, how you treat others, your immediate surroundings and your actions).

With this approach, you change your perspective and move into a proactive mode.

Now, obviously, if you’re feeling out-of-control anxiety (racing thoughts, chest pain, etc.), you should reach out to a professional.

But, generally speaking, you will feel calmer if you manage sticky situations by anticipating things rather than waiting until a small issue mushrooms into a full-blown emergency.

How to De-Stress

Managing stress is vital for your well-being. Excessive stress can take a toll on your mental, emotional, and physical health.

By effectively managing stress, you safeguard your overall quality of life.

It allows you to think clearly, make better decisions, maintain healthy relationships, and promote a sense of inner peace and balance.

Prioritize stress management for a healthier, happier life.

Here’s a seven-step action plan to help you stay proactive during stressful times.

1. Move yourself physically out of your environment

Don’t sit around watching the news or staring at your electronic devices too long.

Go for a walk, listen to music, workout, or meditate.

One of my best-kept secrets for improving productivity at work is to use a mobile sit-stand desk.

You can move it from room to room, to change your scenery. It fits through the doorway easily with the monitor attached to it.

Love the comfort of the keyboard that is suspended below for a good posture.

My desk is small, but enough to keep a notebook, microphone, and a jug of water.

It's super sturdy and goes from sitting to standing easily. Plus it looks really sleek.  

2. Clear your mind

With all of the chaos, disorder, and uncertainty you need to be still.

Meditate, pray, breathe, or do whatever works to help clear your head.

A proven way to calm your nerves is to spend some time in silence daily and breathe (minimum of 5 minutes).

3. Train hard for four 45-minute sessions per week

It's possibly the most productive method to deal with crazy times.

My workout of choice is progressive resistance training paired with metabolic conditioning, just like my most successful clients do. 

A smart strength-training workout will improve insulin sensitivity, fight muscle loss, and slow aging.

It's also less than 2% weekly time investment.

Enough said.

4. Detoxify yourself from the media

There’s a big difference between being informed and over-consuming the news.

Be mindful of the amount of time you’re watching the nightly TV gloom-and-doom report or scrolling your smartphone's newsfeed.

Learn what you need to know (way less than you probably think), and then shut it down an hour or two before bedtime.

5. Practice gratitude

Practicing gratitude opens your heart to the beauty and blessings in life.

It shifts your focus from what's lacking to what you have, fostering contentment and joy.

By appreciating the present moment and expressing gratitude, you cultivate a positive mindset and attract abundance into your life.

To embrace gratitude and embrace happiness, write a few words about what you are thankful for.

Do this, with paper and pen, in the morning and last thing before bed.

6. Follow a positive morning ritual

A morning ritual anchors your day, providing stability and focus.

It sets the tone, preparing you mentally and physically for what lies ahead.

By sticking to a routine, you cultivate discipline, enhance productivity, and create a sense of calm amidst life's chaos.

Embrace the power of something that sets your day up for success, like 20 ounces of water followed by a 45-minute workout. 

Don't skip it.

7. Feed your thoughts with healthy "food"

Read books, watch inspiring videos, call people you love. Do whatever you need to do to remain in a positive state.

Remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup.

By the way, you don’t have to do any of this stuff alone.

If you need help staying on track or building these new healthy habits, we can help.

Good habits equal good outcomes.

Something else I was thinking about.

Anyone who has experienced massive success knows the importance of focusing on your strong points.

In other words, do what you do best.

💪Play to your strengths.

Outsource and delegate everything else.

If you want to thrive, your focus should not be on things outside of your area of expertise.

If you're not an expert auto mechanic, accountant, physician, massage therapist, architect, etc., may I suggest you hire this type of professional when you have a problem that requires a specialist.

You should invest in their decades-long experience so you don't have to try and become an expert in a new field.

Make sense?

Otherwise, you'll end up majoring in the minors when your focus should be on quickly solving your problems and achieving your priority-one goal.

Again, focus on your strengths because this focused approach will unquestionably create more success, contentment, and joy in your life.

As a result, you'll be better equipped to face challenges and do the hard work (which you love doing, by the way).

Now be clear on this: It does not mean that you totally neglect your weaknesses.

Of course they must be addressed as well.

I'm suggesting that you'll be happier if you spend most of your time doing what you're passionate about and what comes naturally for you.

To your success,

Coach Joe

Joseph Arangio helps 40+ men and women get leaner, stronger, and happier. He's delivered over 100,000 transformation programs to satisfied clients around the globe. If you want to lose weight from home, with the best online personal trainer, or you want to visit the best personal trainer in the Lehigh Valley, you can take a free 14-day trial.