Modern life can be hectic and stressful, much more than some of us even assume. For many, it’s just the way things are – they’re used to living under this kind of stress so they never consider any alternatives. And that’s unfortunate, because there are actually lots of options for minimizing all of this chaos and focusing on what’s in front of you. You just need to take some time to consider your options, and make some room for more positive habits in your day-to-day life. With time, shedding the unnecessary will become a habit.
Too Much Information Is Not Good
With access to so much information about practically everything at our fingertips at any time, many of us feel the need to spread their attention as much as they can, so they can take in new things from every direction. We are human in the end though, and we have our limits. Spreading your attention too thin can have some serious consequences, including on your ability to focus on a daily basis. It’s important to take some time to figure out what actually matters, and get rid of the rest. Stop seeking out knowledge about everything, and focus on the points that have an immediate impact.
Know Where to Go for Treatment in Advance
Speaking of information, it’s not rare to learn about new diseases and medical conditions every day. And for some, this can add to their regular anxiety, prompting them to always worry about what might go wrong next. While getting rid of those thoughts is important, it’s also not that easy. A good initial workaround is to know where you can go to get treatment for the various problems you might face with your health.
For example, when it comes to internal medicine, there are few options as good as the Ruscio Institute, making it a must-have on your list. The clinic has been operating for quite a while now with a successful track record, making it a great option for general treatment and other related problems. Take similar notes of places for other kinds of more specialized treatment, and ensure that your list is always up to date.
Turn Off Those Notifications
Smartphones can contribute a lot of stress and anxiety to our daily lives without us even realizing it. As useful as they are, many of us have a tendency to overuse them to the point where they start to do more harm than good. One of the best steps you could take in this regard is to disable your notifications, at least for the majority of apps. Leave only the truly important ones.
If that’s not feasible for you straight away, you could also start by minimizing them. Set “quiet” periods during the day, and let your phone disable notifications during those times. Try to increase the period on a daily basis until you reach a point where you’re comfortable with the balance. And make sure to regularly reevaluate what notifications you’re getting – certain apps may be relevant now but not so much in the future, especially if you’re using them for specific events right now.
Take a Moment to Reflect
This is something that’s become cliched to say at this point, but it’s still important to stress it. Learning to meditate and to reflect on your life on a regular basis is something that can improve your anxiety and overall mental wellbeing much better than most other approaches you could take. It’s a great first step that you can easily build on later. And the best part is that it doesn’t even require any special equipment or knowledge to get started!
Sure, you can benefit from a guided session that takes you through the initial steps in a more controlled manner, but it’s not strictly necessary. You should give it a chance at your own pace, and try to figure out things yourself at first. This can be much more productive for some people – though if you feel lost and want some more direct guidance, don’t be afraid to seek that out either. The important thing is that you turn meditation into a regular habit that you can come back to on a daily basis, as this will boost your mental wellbeing significantly when practiced often enough.
Some of these points can take some time to address, so don’t get frustrated if things don’t work out at first. Keep your eye on the goal, and always make sure that you maintain a good balance between taking in new information, and processing what you’ve recently learned. This is a good way to cleanse your mind from all the unnecessary stressful factors that it accumulates on a daily basis, and it can also open your eyes to some new realizations about how you’ve been approaching your life.
Photo by Willian Justen de Vasconcellos on Unsplash
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
