Ten Ways to Simplify and De-stress Your Life

By Leslie Pragasam / Published December 2019

We all have demanding lives and seem to always be on the go—hectic workdays, family commitments in the evening, and often eventful or overbooked weekends. Wouldn’t it be nice to simplify and de-stress your life?

I’ve scoured the internet for my top 10 tips to do just that—simplify and de-stress. I hope they are as useful for you as they are for me.

• Water—As a board member or CAM, there always seems to be a trade show or expo in the area with plenty of reusable water bottle giveaways. At the next show you attend, grab a free reusable water bottle and take it with you everywhere. Just be sure to always keep it filled to keep from getting dehydrated.
• Prioritize—Make a daily to-do list of items that need your attention. Keep the most important items at the top of your list, with the less important items at the bottom. It feels wonderful to cross off the important stuff from your list, and you don’t have to feel guilty if you don’t get to the bottom of your list.
• Social Media—This one is tough for me! Delete social media from your phone. I was surprised how much time I spent checking social media sites throughout the day. I won’t bore you with my embarrassing details, but according to a MarketWatch 2018 report, U.S. adults spent three hours and 48 minutes each day on computers, tablets, and smartphones in the first quarter of 2018. This was a 13-minute increase from the previous quarter.
• Clutter—If you’re anything like me, clutter of any sort drives you crazy. Time to clear the clutter from your lives! You may have that kitchen drawer that seems to be a haven for junk or items that don’t really have a home. Maybe your calendar, your office desk, your fridge, or your mind is cluttered. Currently, my office is cluttered with trade show and marketing items. I cannot wait to organize everything and go to these upcoming trade shows so I can finally de-clutter my office!
• Say No—Learn how to say no. As a woman and a working mother, why does it seem we should always say “yes” to everything? Many times, we sacrifice our happiness and our time pleasing everyone around us. At one point in my life for about two straight years, I volunteered on two boards, chaired a couple of committees, worked a full-time job, and was my son’s team mom for two back-to-back t-ball seasons, all while trying to be a perfect mother, wife, and employee. Looking back, I don’t know how I managed to survive. While I learned a lot about life and myself during this time, my stress levels were extremely high during those years. While it’s great to volunteer your time, it’s more important to focus on the more critical things in your life.
• Simple meals—Create a simple weekly dinner menu, with specific dinners for every night of the week. Taco Tuesday is big in my household, and something my son looks forward to every week. Create a grocery list of the required ingredients for your menu, and stick to your list while grocery shopping. Not only will you save money, but you’ll keep better track of those healthier choices. You’ll also save time by not wandering aimlessly around the market.
• Baggage—There are many types of baggage. Whatever the type, it drags us down. Let’s address the negative relationships in your life. They may be with a friend, coworker, family member, or even a love interest. Ask yourself the following questions. Do they respect you and your feelings? Do you feel emotionally or physically drained after time with them? Are those toxic relationships really worth it? At the end of the day, they’re not. It may be tough, but it’s time to put yourself first.
• Exercise—It’s a proven fact that exercise benefits our minds as much as our bodies. I’m guilty of finding every excuse for not going to the gym—no time, long day at work, I’m tired, and I could go on and on. Even a 20-minute walk on your lunch break is helpful. Find ways of turning the most mundane task, like housework, into fun exercise. I’ve been known to break into dance while vacuuming or sweeping. Involve your kids—go on a bike ride, start a game of backyard soccer or football, or throw a frisbee at the beach. Whatever you do, make it fun!
• Yoga/Meditation—Whether you attend a yoga class or practice at home, yoga relaxes the mind and body. The deep breathing involved with yoga allows you to switch your focus from the anxiety and stress to the important things in life. If you don’t have time for an hour-long class, taking a few deep breaths at your desk can be beneficial to your heart and mind. On the inhale, think about something positive—the love for your child, spouse, or friend. Hold it for a couple of seconds. On the exhale, breathe out any negative thoughts in your mind. Repeat five times.
• Get out—Soaking up a little natural sunlight is a mood enhancer and always good for my soul. On the weekend, sometimes I want to lie in bed and be lazy, but I find I always feel better when I wake up early and go on a bike ride or nature hike. A close friend of mine loves to garden. She’s at peace when she’s pulling weeds and tending her garden. Whatever your passion is, enjoy it!

     The above list of ideas for simplifying and de-stressing your life are just ten suggestions. There are so many other ideas out there. Find what works for you and your family and stick to it. Be good to yourself!

Leslie Pragasam

Business Development Manager, Vesta Property Services

     Leslie is the Business Development Manager for Vesta Property Services. She has been in sales and the customer service industry for more than 20 years, has served several terms on her HOA Board of Directors, has volunteered and chaired her association’s ARB committee, has served on the NE Florida CAI Board of Directors, has chaired and co-chaired several committees with the NE Florida CAI chapter, and has been the Editor of the NE Florida CAI chapter’s award-winning e-newsletter for the past four years. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, the outdoors, live music, and spending time with her son. To learn more about Vesta Property Services, visit vestapropertyservices.com.