How to Let the Little Things Go

You have enough stress to deal with without adding the little things. Here's how to prevent them from further upsetting you.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Journal (optional)

1. Learn the difference between the things you should worry about and the things you shouldn't. There are just some things that will always be out of your control, no matter what you do. Learning to accept this and not try to control everything will help ease your stress.

2. Organize your time. Keep a planner or calender where you can write down all your activities to avoid forgetting anything, over-scheduling yourself, and help you apportion your time between all the things you need to get done.

3. Realize that there is only so much you can do at once. Don't stress if you can't finish everything immediately, but still try to get everything done by the time it needs to get done. Procrastination can actually lead to more stress if you leave everything to the last minute.

4. Learn some relaxation techniques such as meditation or find other activities to help alleviate stress. Yoga or other forms of exercise are great for this.

5. Try not to lay awake at night thinking of everything you have to do. This is probably the most difficult part, but it's where your relaxation techniques comes in handy. Think of it this way, late at night, there's probably not much you can do about whatever you're worrying about anyway. You might as well get some sleep to be well rested enough to handle it the next day.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a positive attitude. It's amazing what a good outlook can do for your overall mood.
• Find at least one thing you can smile about or feel good about everyday. After awhile, you'll begin to focus on these things. You may want to write about these good things in a journal to get you in the habit of thinking about them.
• While it's easier, don't pawn off the blame onto someone else. Take responsibility for your own life. It'll help you understand that you're in charge of your life and can decide what to worry about and what not to.