Simple living reduces stress. It has been proven. When you have less and want less, you stress less. First, you have to understand what simple living really is. No – you do not have to live in a run-down home to be “simple.” That is far from true! What I mean by simple living is a lifestyle that minimizes consumption and maximizes those things that bring you the most peace and joy. Here are a few ways that simple living can benefit you:
- More freedom to create the life you desire, instead of feeling stuck in a job or life just because you have no other choice.
- Allows you to appreciate what you do have instead of constantly craving what you don’t have.
- Provides you with a better work/life balance because you let go of pushing yourself to work longer and longer hours to maintain an over-consumptive lifestyle. In other words, Work SMARTer not harder!
- Help you clarify what is most important, meaningful, and what really matters to you, and let go of the rest.
- Allows you to seek quality not quantity in all things.
- Helps you de-clutter and let go of everything in your life that is messy, busy, over-complicated and unnecessary.
- Introduces you to the importance of all your true relationships—including a deeper connection to your community.
- Frees up your time to do the things you love and that makes you happy.
- Provides you with a deeper connection to nature by giving you the time to take walks, garden, and appreciate being outdoors. In other words, spend time in nature.
- Slows you down and allows you to enjoy the moments of your day.
- This leads you to become more self-reliant and internally focused instead of comparing yourself to others or using others to determine your worth.
- Guides you to make better health choices for yourself and your family.
- Provides freedom from maintaining or fussing about your possessions and instead spends that time doing things that make you smile.
- Offers you better and sounder sleep and times of rest.
- Gives you ease and agility when making life choices, and decisions, and exploring opportunities.
- Allows you to spend the rest of your life on a greener and healthier planet along with others (including your kids).
Reading all of that, I hope that you can see how and why simple living can reduce stress and instead, bring more happiness into your life. And, I hope that it makes you want to start your simple living journey. Here are a few ways to live simply, in order to increase happiness and reduce stress:
Manage Your Finances
If you are in debt, I bet your stress levels are through the roof. It is hard paying all of your monthly bills and then paying bucket loads towards high-interest credit card debt. If you have a business of your own, I bet that it’s even more stressful – especially during this time. If this sounds familiar, you probably need to get your finances in order. One way to do so (especially as a business) is to get rid of high-interest credit card debt and replace it with low-interest loans so that you are able to pay them off faster. One way to do this as a business is to get an Atlanta small business loan from Chapes-JPL. Chapes-JPL is a company based out of Atlanta, Georgia, in the heart of Buckhead that provides low-interest asset loans on your valuables. In addition, they also buy valuables from their customers. This is a fast and easy way to get cash when you need it. If you have old jewelry around your home, sell it or get an asset loan in order to pay off your high-interest debt. Chapes-JPL was established in 1980 as an alternative to banks and traditional pawnbrokers. They provide low-interest loans on gold, diamonds, jewelry, watches, and more. Since the loan is strictly on collateral, they do not require credit checks, tax returns, job verification, or personal references. Plus, the typical loan is done in minutes!
Reduce Processed Foods
Reducing processed foods is a fantastic way to live simply, reduce your stress, and also improve your health. When you reduce processed foods, you are getting rid of added sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and other unhealthy additions. As they say in Italy, slow eating is simple eating is healthy eating. Slow, unprocessed, and “good-for-you” foods are the foods that connect you with the people around you (at the dinner table), the land, and the animals.
Say No More Often
When you do not want to do something, say no. If it is going to cause you a lot of stress, say no. When it will not bring you happiness, say no. If you say no more often, you will be able to say “yes” to the things that bring you joy instead. Say “no” more often in order to reduce stress!
There are so many things you can do to live a simple lifestyle and reduce stress, but these are just a few of them. What is your favorite way to live simply? I’d love to know!
