You may not be able to completely banish the sources of your stress, but you can begin to shape the functions of these stressors and your reactions to them. Here are six helpful tips to assist you as you start to decrease the anxieties in your life and free up more of your valuable mental, emotional and physical energy. 

1. Outsource Some of Your Obligations

From filing your taxes to deep cleaning the garage, there are a number of tasks that just about nobody wants to complete, but that must be done. Many of these sorts of tasks generally fall lower on your to-do list, too, so they seem to always be in the back of your mind as an unchecked box. 

These obligations don’t need to take up as much brain space as they do. It would take some work in the beginning, but try to find ways to ease these processes, so things like paying your bills and changing your oil happen on a schedule, with automation or with outside assistance. Notions such as cleaning parties at your place with friends, automatic bill paying, the infinite banking concept and electronic scheduling programs can take things off your plate now and in the long run.

2. Don’t Overthink Things

Your brain is wired to keep you safe, so it’s no wonder it runs through a variety of worst-case scenarios before anything has even happened. As well, your brain may tend to ruminate over embarrassing or cringeworthy things that have happened in your life in the past, and may even magnify unpleasant details. It’s perfectly normal, and when you can recognize these anxieties as your mind’s attempts to help you to stay as happy, healthy, successful and agreeable as possible, you can politely thank these efforts, but move on to focus on more constructive, positive thought loops. 

3. Surround Yourself With Support

Everyone needs a sound support system, so if you have friends or family members that add to your anxiety, it’s perfectly okay to reconsider the nature of your relationships. Only confide in others who have your best interests in mind, and that includes peace during your decision making processes, too. Your support system should feel like a safe, positive, accepting and productive place to go when things in your life get tough. 

4. Practice Gratitude

Often, some of your perceived suffering may be coming from the way you’re thinking about things instead of the events or issues themselves. It’s easy to get caught up in thinking about who you’re not, what you don’t have, what you can’t do and where you aren’t yet. Try to shift your thinking to focus on your progress, and on everything that you’ve accomplished to get to where you are today. A past version of yourself once dreamed of what you have, and you deserve to celebrate that. 

5. Let Things Go

Closure and clean resolution are concepts that are certainly ideal, but unfortunately, they aren’t realistic in every scenario. The energy you spend wondering why something happened can sometimes distract from your healing process. It doesn’t always matter why something happened, but only as long as it's beneficial to help you identify what to do next time. Otherwise, let it go. Negative thoughts hurt the thinker more than anyone else, so give yourself a break and move on as best you can. 

6. Shed Expectations

There are as many ways to live as there are people, and only you can decide what’s best for you. Advice can be helpful, but if you try to live up to the expectations of others, you may abandon yourself in the process. Stay true to yourself and live the life you dreamed of. Focus on what you want, who you are and what steps to take to bring true happiness and fulfillment to your own life–whatever that looks like to you. 

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