Marquis Who's Who Millennium Magazine

Things to Stop Doing Right Now to Reduce Your Anxiety Small, everyday habits can have a significant impact on mindset. From eating habits to sleeping habits, to information intake and effort output, minor adjustments can build momentum in a new direction and make major changes over time. There are many things people do that unwittingly contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety they would rather avoid. There are also many simple changes that can turn the tide. 1. Stop letting technology rule you. American novelist and non-fiction writer Anne Lamott once said, "Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you." Too much time spent with television, computers and mobile devices can take a toll on people's stress levels and overall health. There are a number of effective ways to reduce screen time. For example, try setting a strict limit, and exercising self-discipline and willpower. For those who need more support, however, some apps can help. Some track how long the device is in use, while others can lock all social media for a specified time. Of course, mobile devices also have a "do not disturb" setting you can switch on and off as needed. As a final resort, there is still, even in this day and age, the option of leaving your phone behind. The trick is to treat your peace of mind as something as essential as a business appointment or important gathering. The first step is deciding that not every ping, buzz and alarm must be responded to instantaneously. Not only will conquering this help calm one's nerves, but it also promotes productivity, which leads directly to less anxiety over the next topic: procrastinating. 2. Stop procrastinating. Easy to say, but difficult to achieve. So, what is a lifelong procrastinator to do? The bullet journal craze has tapped into a wonderfully simple, back-to-basics idea: the sticker chart! It's an adult version, but the premise is the same as the approach used with small children. Goal-tracking pages are used to create a colorful visual map that helps the user meet their daily goals. More and more research is suggesting the best way to beat procrastination is to take on the task you’re dreading early in the day, when willpower is at its highest. Track the days you meet the goal until it moves from being a chore to being a habit. You can use this method to make sure you sort the mail, pay the bills, drink enough water, or get in your exercise. Get up a little early, get it done first, and check it off the list! 472 4