Boundaries That Lower Stress for Better Health
By Genevieve Cunningham
Stress can be such a bummer. We can't avoid all stress, and that's perfectly OK. A little bit of stress is natural and perhaps even healthy. But when stress becomes excessive, it can wreak havoc on our emotional, mental, and physical well-being. So what should we do? We can start by setting appropriate boundaries in our lives. If you struggle with setting boundaries, take a look at where you can start to boost health and feel your best.
Leave Work at Work
One of the most important boundaries to lower stress is to leave work at work. Don't take it home. Don't worry about it after hours. You have to leave it there. This can become a bigger challenge if you work from home, but it's still possible. Either create a work-specific room where you can leave work, or set very specific work hours and stick with them. If you want less stress and better health, you have to step away from work. Set this boundary and stick with it.
Shut Off the Phone
The phone is an incredibly beneficial tool in our lives. But let's be honest: It's also an incredibly frustrating source of both stress and distraction. If you want better health, it might be a good idea to shut it off. You don't have to do without a phone permanently, but you definitely need some time without it. Shut it off for a specified time each day. You may be surprised at how much stress is alleviated when you're not constantly available to others. Though this will be hard, setting this boundary will be worth it for your mental and physical well-being.
Say No
We're conditioned to say yes to just about everything. Can you make a meeting after work hours? Sure. Can you take on one more project? You got it. Can you come in on your day off? No problem. Why do we do this to ourselves? If you're busy and have a life -- which we all do! -- get used to saying no. You don't have to give an explanation at all because no is a complete sentence. Take control of your life and time by simply saying no, and you will be much healthier and happier going forward.
There's nothing wrong with setting boundaries in your life. In fact, it's incredibly healthy! Don't take on too much work, obligate yourself too often, or create too much unnecessary stress for yourself. Get rid of the stress and improve your health by implementing these boundaries in your life as soon as today.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Orem, Utah.