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5 Toxic Habits that are keeping you stressed out
There are some things we all do involuntarily that are keeping us stressed.
Stress is the WORST.
It can literally kill if you have too much of it.
So why aren’t we doing everything possible to live less stressful lives?
We might think that we are, but there are pitfalls that we all get trapped in without knowing it.
These traps can cause us to secretly keep ourselves stressed out and feel like we are losing grip on reality.
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The unconscious choices we make:
Being in other people’s business.
Gossip and busy-body-ness are one of the top reasons we are so stressed out.
Gossip and Rumors can damage friendships, families, and peoples livelihood.
Listening in on who Eli and Chelsea are whispering about is not beneficial to you.
And, can cause you to be invested in a story that is not even true. If its not coming from the source, don’t listen.
Regardless of whether these little stories are true, they can hurt!
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Most of us know what it feels like to have people talk bad behind our backs. We know the pain, embarrassment, or stress that comes with it.
Ever heard the phrase, If they do it with you they’ll do it to you ?
People who gossip with you usually have no qualms with talking about you to others.
Even if you don’t participate, they may still talk bad about you anyways.
My advice is to shut that down as soon as it arises.
If someone feels the need to give you the dish on an acquaintance of yours, simply say,
“Not interested.”
and let them move the gossip train someplace else.
Saying yes to absolutely everything.
Saying “Yes” is not always bad, but when you always say yes, don’t expect any good to come out of it.
It is physically impossible for us to do everything.
Some of us are good-natured enough to take on things for others that they don’t want to. or maybe don’t know if they are capable of doing.
But darn if they wont try.
Know what you can handle, and if you really don’t want to do something, know you DO have the option to say no.
If someone tries to make you feel guilty about it, don’t feel like you have to come up with an excuse or cave and do it anyways.
If they are a good friend, they will man up and be okay with it.
This is not the same as backing out last minute.
Make sure to keep your promises if you have already committed!
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Over-booking your week.
Like saying yes to everything, over-planning is just as stressful.
I know that when I look at the calendar, the LAST thing I want to see is that I have plans after work Every. Single. Day.
That is enough to make me want to cry.
Even if you are an extrovert, you need time to decompress! Make sure you are not setting yourself up for a stressful weekend by over-booking your week.
Putting everyone else’s health first.
If you are an older sibling, guardian or parent, you likely know what the above statement feels like.
When we put other peoples health before ours on the regular, it can take a serious toll on our bodies and minds.
Stress is put on our bodies when we constantly run around taking care of others and don’t stop to make sure we are doing okay.
Letting other peoples emotions become yours.
Attitude is contagious.
And while empathy is great, the way that people feel and act around us can effect our own attitudes.
Have you ever had a coworker that was in a sour mood every time you saw them?
It likely made you feel worse about having to be at work, and drained some of your motivation.
When we let other peoples emotions effect how we think and feel, we get sad, stressed and can even start to feel depressed.
Even when nothing was wrong initially.
We can choose to have a positive attitude and effect change in our world.
Just like how negative attitudes are contagious, so are positive ones.
Choose to be happy, and hopefully you can spread some sunshine to those around you.
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