Can you remember the last time you were completely relaxed? You probably weren’t on your phone, you may have been in nature, and your thoughts weren’t fluttering around your never-ending to-do list. Feeling stressed can impact our lives; chronic stress increases the likelihood of sleep problems, digestive issues, and depression. Unfortunately, like many of us, it may take a while to remember the last truly relaxing moment you had.
The goal: have this feeling at least once a week.
We’ve compiled this blog to help you achieve this goal. Discover the things you need to minimize and cut out of your life, things you should be doing more, and systems to put in place to reduce stress. It’s time to boost your happiness, decrease your stressors, and simplify your life while living at your Inspirada home.
Cut the Comparison
We live in a world of comparison; Pinterest boards of idyllic homes that could easily be on a luxury magazine cover, that Instagram-famous world traveler posed in front of a sunny, tropical beach, heck, even that mom that posts a photo on Facebook of her freshly-baked French macrons she made for the kindergarten bake sale.
While social media can be a great tool to build community and connect with loved ones living across state and country lines, it can also strike an insatiable feeling of not measuring up. That’s why you should limit the time you spend on these sites. While you’re at it, remove yourself as a follower for anyone that makes you feel less than.
A Little Planning Goes A Long Way
Some of the most stressful moments in life are birthed by our inability to remember something we need to do. Thankfully, if you spend a little bit of time setting some systems up, you can have tasks done automatically and reminders that come in clutch.
- Set up automatic bill payment so you don’t have to worry about missing a payment.
- Add all of your loved one’s birthdays into your Google calendar so you’ll never forget to send a “Happy Birthday” text or buy a gift. Also, add reminders like pet vaccinations and registration renewal dates for your car.
- Make a “follow-up” folder in your email inbox for emails you need to remember to respond to.
- Purchase a vinyl zipper pouch to house the items you’re always digging around for in your purse. Not only will be able to easily grab it from your purse, you’ll be able to see the contents and you can easily transfer your most-used items into other bags. This Etsy seller sells options that have cute prints, like this one.
Unplug
Once you’re done setting up automatic payments and adding your friend’s birthdays to your online calendar, it’s time to unplug. Turning off technology like televisions, computer screens, and smartphones is a great way to decompress. If you’re worried about people not being able to reach you, send a quick text to any loved ones that may try to contact you and let them know you’ll be technology free for a few hours. You’ll be amazed at how healing it can feel being disconnected from the world for a bit.
Enjoy a Tranquil Setting
Nature has a way of calming our ever-present thoughts and letting life run a little slower. Make time for the outdoors, even in the summer. As we all know, the early morning hours and nighttime can be a great solution to still enjoy the outdoors in the summertime.
Take advantage of all the beautiful vistas we can have living in Henderson:
- Visit the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve (27 mins)
- Take in the view at the Inspirada Overlook
- Walk over 35 miles of the winding neighborhood trails
- Hike the nearby Sloan Canyon National Conservation area (12 mins)
- Marvel at the natural beauty of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (30 mins)
- Or, simply relax in the backyard at your Inspirada home
Try Meditation
If you’ve never tried meditation, it can be intimidating and hard to wrap your head around. Try learning the correct foundations first so you don’t get frustrated when your mind inevitably wanders. There are a few ways to do this:
- Take a local class
- Use a meditation app like Calm or Headspace
- Join a local meditation group
Kindness Goes a Long Way
Did you know that performing a good dead can reduce stress and improve your emotional well-being? You don’t need to spend a lot of money or time on the acts and, as an added bonus, your act is likely to inspire others. Research shows that when others witness a kind act, they’re more likely to act altruistically.
Some ideas to get you started:
- Lend an ear to someone who’s had a bad day
- Drop flowers off on a friend’s porch
- Hold a door open for a stranger
- Make tea for your coworker
- Buy coffee for the person behind you
- Donate extra towels and blankets to the Henderson Animal Care and Control Facility
We hope these tips inspire and help you boost your happiness, decrease your stress, and simplify your life. Visit the calendar to find local events and connect with the Inspirada community.