Life’s many stresses and worries often get in the way of action. Does it sometimes stagnate you, suffocate you the amount worry that occupies your mind that you feel that you can’t actually do anything? Freeing your mind from worry and stress requires a commitment to detach yourself from material matters. to  In this day and age, this is a very difficult mindset to have. How does one achieve this?

1. Pay off your debt and immediately start saving. Money is a huge factor that cause the stress in people’s lives. Get your finances in order. Especially now, with our weak economy, it is important to get all your ducks in a row. Though this is said plenty of times in other web sites, the key really is to spend less than you make. The less you spend, the more you will have. Create a budget if you need some way to control your finances.

2. Remove external influences as much as possible. Stay away from advertisements. Avoid commercials if you can. Change the channel when a commercial is on. Get rid of those magazines that will tempt you to even start thinking about wanting to buy. (This is a weakness I have, due to perusing SlickDeals all the time.) This helps not only your wallet, but there will not be the latest “wants” rolling around in your head of things you want to buy. Subconsciously, commercials and advertisements may be telling you that you’re not spending enough, that you’re not keeping up with the Joneses unless you have product A or B, therefore causing you more stress. Brave advertisements only if you have enough strong discipline to stay away from what the message of the clever marketers, but it’s strongly cautioned against from this lady. If you have friends that you go shopping with that are bad influences, find other activities you guys can do together without spending money.

3. Educate yourself. Many times the unknown causes undue stress and worry. Sometimes, a little research, asking friends and family for information, and finding all about what is causing your stress can really set your mind at ease.

4. Part with all that “stuff”. Sell it via eBay, Craigslist or donate it. I find the cleaner, more organized your home is, the more free and peaceful your mind becomes. Have you ever walked into a show home and felt so at peace and comfortable? Granted, it’s decorated nicely, but these homes have no clutter since they’re new. They have no objects or things or clutter from all the possessions  But the thing is, I’ve walked into homes that are fairly clean and well organized. People have argued that they don’t like these kind of upkept homes because it looks like no one lives there, but I would argue that the people who live in that home probably has a mind that probably is much more free of stress. I find when my work and sleep areas become buried in stuff, I don’t sleep as well. Clear your closet, clear your mind.

5 Take action now. If you need to do something, or want to do something, do it. (Well, unless it’s finally caving for that gadget you “must must” have!) Don’t wait until tomorrow, or the next day. We’ve all become professional procrastinators. I know this is something I definitely lag on, especially in scheduling my dentist/doctor’s/eye doctor’s appointment. I hate going to the doctor.

6. Volunteer. I find that this has a strong influence on the amount of money I spend, and the toughness of my mind. I’ve volunteered all my life and now volunteer at a group that covers a wide area of charity (recycling, environment, education, medical outreach, international relief, clean-up, etc.) Volunteering allows one to perhaps open one’s eyes to the world around them, the living situation of the poor, and to be thankful for what you do have. One may start to realize that what they worried about just the day before, probably isn’t that important to worry about any more. Volunteering can cause one to be very busy, therefore not causing you to spend more money, keeps you on your toes, and actually makes you feel good. I realize not everyone likes to volunteer, but I think it really helps free your mind. This is a subject I’m fairly passionate about, though I do feel guilty for not volunteering more.

7. Exercise and Eat Better. Do yoga, pilates, meditate, increase endorphins. We know that exercise really helps induce endorphins and helps diminish one’s stress levels. Not only will exercise help you with your stress, but one will become healthier.The same applies with food. It is sad that certain foods may cause you to become moody, which may add to stress. With a better diet and a good exercise regimen and the affects of both on health, who can argue with this?

8. Balance yourself. This is probably one of the most difficult aspects of going worry-free. By “balancing” yourself, I mean not to disturb your chi. While talking to my friends, I find their complaints range all over the place – to their relationships, their workplace, their friends, their pockets, their job – the list goes on and on. One should either a) do something about it to change the situation or c) let it go. It’s human nature to complain. It’s even more female nature to complain because we want to vent. My male friends so often complain to me how females need to vent, and how it surprises them how they don’t want to fix the situation. I’m probably guilty of the situation too – by complaining or making excuses. (More the latter than the former). However, I truly believe that if you can’t control an undesirable situation — either try to change it, or let it go. Venting is all well and good – especially the first few times, but after that, it does nothing to help with your being. For example, for the longest time many of us were disgruntled by the actions of one of our closest friends – let’s say his name was Ben. For a period of time, a few of us would go on and on about how angry we were and couldn’t believe what our friend’s actions — and this would go on every night.  One especially was letting it affect her to the point where she wanted to yell, scream and make a few drastic reactions. However, I reached the point where I knew I had to talk to Ben. Well, I spoke with him, and Ben just didn’t get why we were all feeling the way we did. At this point, I let it go, knowing it would not go anywhere and knowing I had done all that I possibly could. Not only would I be wasting my breath if I continued, I would be wasting my energy discussing about something Ben was doing when Ben himself wasn’t thinking too much about it at all. Bottom line – don’t let things bother you when you have no control over the situation. Accept it and then move on. You’ll be happier that you did.

9. Most importantly, change your attitude. This encompasses a great many things. Desire less. Want less. Be content with what you have. Open your heart. It can be surprising the amount of stress and worry can dissipate when you simply change your attitude. This is the single most important lesson we all can learn. This not only applies to stress but in so many other aspects of our lives.

This was extremely long winded, and the things I listed certainly are not the only things one can do to try to be free yourself from stress. What are some things you do to relieve yourself from stress?

Tags: mindset, stress, worry free