Stressed Out? 3 Ways to Realistically Find Balance.

Have you ever been told by your doctor that you need to manage your stress levels? You probably nod along in agreement but think to yourself “what does ‘work on my stress’ actually mean?” For most people there’s some confusion and even overwhelm about translating the idea of managing stress into a realistic and effective practice.  

I am here to help you break down the question of “what does work on my stress mean” and provide you with three realistic actions you can take to better manage your stress levels.  

Stressors are everywhere.

We all know the feeling of stress. That gnawing feeling of pressure or tension in your life.

• The pressure of meeting your bosses expectations. 

• The pressure of being a good spouse.

  
  The pressure to keep a clean house. 
  

• The pressure of being available to your friends.

• The pressure to keep up with a regular exercise routine.
  

• The pressure to be engaged in relevant world events. 

• The pressure to set boundaries. 

The list of pressures and stressors is often endless.

If you’re a high achiever, then that list is magnified because of course there’s the pressure you put on yourself to do all those things and do them to a level of excellence. 

Overtime, the overwhelm sets in. There’s too much pressure, too many balls in the air.

You want balance, you want to feel like you have some breathing room. 

So let’s talk about some tangible, simple, and (most importantly) realistic strategies for managing stress. 

Breaking up with stress.

1) Wellness Routines. I like to think of this category as anything that is restoring and nourishing such as, sleep routines/structures, morning or nightly rituals, a skincare routine, exercise routine, etc. 

This one is first on the list because I believe it’s one of the most important things you can do for stress management. Why? Because you can’t pour from an empty cup. 

I repeat: you can’t pour from an empty cup. 

Okay, okay you get it. However, for high achievers this is one of the most common things that is neglected and can lead to burnout. High achievers are absolute experts at draining their energy tanks and attempting to run on empty. Then you wonder why you're constantly exhausted, stressed out, and overwhelmed. It’s because you’re not filling your own cup and taking care of you first. 

Side note, many people struggle with the idea of taking care of themselves first, because it feels selfish. The most helpful analogy I can provide you is the one of the oxygen masks on a plane. The instructions are always to put your own mask first then help others. Same goes for prioritizing yourself.  

2) Organization. I’m a huge list girl, I live by them daily. Without a list, I am a chaotic mess.  I get it though, lists aren’t for everyone, so it's important to figure out organizational systems that work for you. This may come in the form of time blocking certain tasks, setting aside certain days for certain tasks or meetings, or even outsourcing things that are not absolutely necessary for you to be involved in. 

Why is organization so important? Think of it like this, imagine walking into a cluttered room that is disorganized and hasn’t been cleaned or tidied in a few weeks. How do you feel thinking about that? 

Anxious?

Stressed out?

Uncomfortable?

The same goes for your mental space. If things are cluttered, chaotic, and unkept, you’re bound to feel the effects. Organization is key to reducing stress and overwhelm.

3) Ask for Help. Know when to tap out and ask for support. This may be from a partner, your assistant, or finally hiring that house cleaner you’ve been on the fence about for the last six months. Asking for help spreads the load, it frees you up to  make progress on that to-do list that has kept growing for the last month, and ultimately gives you increased bandwidth to focus on the tasks that are most important.

There is a better way.

Let’s face it, as a high achiever you’re more prone to high levels of stress. Your life is full throttle and you hold yourself to high standards while doing all the things. I help you leverage your high achieving strengths that make you amazing at whatever you put your mind to while reducing the stress, overwhelm, and chaos.

If you’re way over the stress, chaos, and exhaustion of your high-pressure lifestyle, I am here to help. Contact me for a free consultation where we discuss how to create a life that has more margin for the things you really want to be doing.