Let’s face it, sometimes these habits just creep up on us. They are often little, even subconscious things we do that cause stress.
Here are 5 common, everyday habits that could be causing you unnecessary stress.
With a few resolutions, this will help you minimize stress and live well!
Procrastination
The problem: The suspense or underlying anxiety and head space you create for yourself unbeknownst to you of putting something off steals your free time before you start to work because you are thinking and even dreading getting started in the first place.
The resolution: Don’t let those thoughts become a pattern. When dread and negative attitude towards something you don’t want to do so you’d rather put off come into your head, switch it with gratitude. Be thankful for the opportunity, for why this will benefit you or someone around you now, after you do it, or in the future. Instead of viewing it as a monumental mountain of a task, try to break it up into section or beginning, middle, end. Ensure the first step is so small it no longer seems daunting. If you have been putting off paying your debt, maybe the first step would be logging in and looking at your balance to split up evenly betweens months. If you begin your day conquering a big task, you will be surprised how much more productive the rest of the day will be. It will fuel your energy and motivation to getter done!
Over-Scheduling
The problem: This is a common problem for type A’ers. You leave yourself zero minutes for error in your jam-packed day and most likely…something just doesn’t go right and you are most likely…late to s o m e t h i n g…not to mention frazzled!
The resolution: Leave room in your schedule. I have made a habit to leave room in 30 minute increments, even if my appointment in 5 minutes away. If it takes an hour to get somewhere I schedule an hour and a half. I leave time to the screwed up google map, the uncontrollable situations, and just for a non stressful appointment. It keeps my head clear, my thoughts focused, time for the restroom, for a breath and to not rush. Rushing is the made ingredient for stress. Five extra minutes can go a long way to help you not feel like you are running to catch the day. You want to be running the day, not running to catch up with it.
Over Thinking
The problem: Whether the problem is big or small, we definitely want to make the “right” choice, yes? Anyone else out there an “over researcher”? Sometimes research and due diligence helps us to choose wisely and i highly recommend doing your homework, but regardless of the decision, it does us no good to spin our wheels for hours and hours obsessing over something and it can definitely cause unnecessary stress and sometimes, if you aren’t in the right headspace, fear.
The resolution: Set a time limit and set amount of time to do your homework on each decision. Research, pray, ask advice to wise people in your life and then cut yourself off. You can analyze past decisions for growth and learning purposes but otherwise, don’t look back. No should’ve, would’ve, could haves. They can’t change what happened and wastes your energy and time and steals your joy and faith. Setting a time, praying about it and going with the decision that brings the most peace no matter what people think or say will make decision making a lot less stressful. 
Second Guessing Yourself
The problem: What you know can change and develop as your learn more about a circumstance and get more comfortable with what you are doing.
The resolution: Know that you are making the right decision for you in that moment with the information you have. That is all we can do. Second-guessing won’t change what is and it will drive you crazy and make you feel insecure about other issues if you let yourself go down that path. You did the best you can and if you get more info, you can always confidently adapt or change as it comes in the future. 
Trying To Be Perfect
The problem: Aiming to grow into all your potential and being better daily is one thing, but perfectionism is a dangerous road to go on for your emotional, mental and physical well being. You are already perfect by just being created. You are growing into who you are and you are developing skills, character, working on things and such, but none of those things will make you perfect. Unique is perfect and everyone has a different idea of what perfection is…that means…perfection actually doesn’t exist and is completely relative and you can’t live in that world. You will never please everyone and to give you some honest, raw advice…don’t try to. You will a miserable existence and miss out on your life!
The resolution: Enjoy the things you do well and take pleasure in learning. Practice forgiveness and give yourself a break. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Loosen up. Enjoy being content with where you are in life, because one thing about life that is consistent…it is always changing! There will be a day you look back and it won’t matter, or you will have grown past where you are now. Be gracious to yourself, be humble, be teachable, don’t take it all too seriously! We are here for a brief moment! Success isn’t being the best at something or the richest…it is being truly happy and content in who you are, finding love, living simply, giving, helping other’s and living your life as freely and with as much love and grace as possible. That will satisfy you, not your “idea” of perfection. 
Live Well!
J
What I Wore:
Top: Nordstrom
Necklace/Bracelet/Shorts: Forever 21
Sunnies: Ray Ban’s
Shoes: Forever 21
Purse: Vintage Gucci (ebay)
