In this episode, you’ll learn 5 ways to reduce stress and be happier. Reducing your stress will subsequently improve your self-worth! I explain why in the video…

Download a FREE Tiny Steps Checklist – A Wellness Kickstarter that will help you start living a life you don’t need a vacation from.

How to Increase Joy and Decrease Stress – Podcast Breakdown

[0:00] Introduction – Welcome back to the Generation Freedom Podcast! My name is Nadie Roberson and I’m a licensed professional counselor in Houston TX, and on this podcast we talk about all things mental health to become the best versions of ourselves. This podcast is not meant to be a substitute for a relationship with a mental health professional.

[1:11] Background – We’ve had a really rough year in 2020, and 2021 has been a very medium year. We’re still under a lot of pressure and a lot of stress, so today I want to talk about ways to reduce your stress and actually increase joy at the same time. I have 5 tips for you today so lets jump into it!

[1:52] Tip 1 – Start by talking to yourself differently. Talk to yourself the way you talk to your best friend. Shaming yourself is not serving you. Think about it, if you a friend was to talk to you the way you talk to yourself would you be friends with them? If not, lets change it so you start telling yoursef kind beautiful things.

[3:48] Tip 2 – Set Boudaries. Set boundaries with your time, money, and peace. Say “no,” “I can’t do this right now,” “I can finish this next week.” Set boundaries with your time: think about what you have the capacity for, today, this week, this month, so you know when to say “no.” Set boundaries with your money: Some rapper said “If you can’t buy it twice, don’t buy it right now.” Set boundaries around money using this idea. Set boundaries around your peace: Eliminate people in your life that have you unsettled, unhappy, bored, uneasy, etc.

[6:02] Tip 3 – Improve your environment. The aesthetics in your home or your office are important. Put things that make you happy, your favorite colors, photos, fresh flowers around you. If you walk into your home and it’s chaotic and messy you won’t feel at ease or happy.  If you work in person find things that you can bring that will make you happy like photos, your snuggie, plants, etc.

[8:00] Tip 4 – Graditude – If you are thinking about what you’re grateful for on a regular basis it will help bring you down from all the stress and chaos in your mind. Graditude will help you be grounded in the here and now, because you remember all the wonderful things you have like your family and a roof over your head.

[9:42] Tip 5 – Have a “For-you, for-them” mindset. What I mean by this is to think about the people you need to be happier for. Who is affected by your stress and negative moods? If you don’t feel like you can de-stress and build your own happiness for yourself, do it for them.

[11:43] Recap – Those 5 things to descrease stress and increase stress. 1. Talk to yourself like you would talk to your best friend. 2. Set boundaries. 3. Improve your environment. 4. Graditude. 5. Have a “For you, for them” mindset. I hope this helps, and you learned something. If you want to improve your life please download the free Tiny Steps Checklist that has all the tools needed to tend to your health and wellbeing.

Want to read more about it?

1. Talk to yourself differently: Shaming yourself is not serving you. 
   • TALK TO YOURSELF THE WAY TO YOU TALK TO YOUR BEST FRIEND. 
   • Check those limiting beliefs. When you catch yourself saying some stuff like “I don’t deserve” or “I should” or “I have to”… Shut it down.
2. Set Boundaries: Time… Money… and your PEACE.
   • Time… What do you have the capacity for? It’s okay to say no.
   • Money…. If you can’t buy it twice, don’t buy it right now. And if you can’t give it without expecting it back, don’t give it.
   • Peace… Eliminate people that keep you unsettled, unhappy, and drained.
3. Improve your environment: The aesthetics in your home or office.
   • Put items around you that are in colors you love to look at. 
   • Hang up artwork or photos that ‘spark joy.’
   • Become a plant mama or daddy. Or just buy flower, although temporary, they do change the feeling of a room. 
4. Gratitude
   • Thinking of all the things you’re thankful for brings you back down to the ground and helps you step back from all the things you’re worried about in your head for a moment.
   • Gratitude journaling is an amazing practice to get into to help you stay grounded.
5. Have a “For-you, For-them” mindset. 
   • Think about who you need to be calm for. If you don’t feel like you can do it for you, think of who your overwhelm effects. Spouse? Kids? Students? You think you’re going above and beyond for them but you’re not if you’re not at your best. 
   • You are not as good of a parent, or as good of a boss, or as good of a therapist if you are running yourself ragged.

Download a FREE Tiny Steps Checklist – A Wellness Kickstarter that will help you start living a life you don’t need a vacation from.

Hope this helps! Share in the comments one your favorite ways to be happier and less stressed.