In this week’s podcast we talk about 3 simple but effective things you can do right now to reduce your stress and anxiety.  Plus, we are answering your questions such as why sugar is so addictive and how to over come plateaus using the 5 pillars of health.

Check out our previous podcasts on setting boundaries and creating routines! New Podcasts every Monday and Wednesday!

Tip One: You’re Breathing Wrong

Most of us have learned that deep breaths help us lower an accelerated heart rate and reduce anxiety in the moment, but most of us are doing it wrong.  Deep breaths in through your chest actually has the opposite effect and will increase your heart rate. 

Instead, breath through your diaphragm (your stomach, basically). Practice breathing where you push your belly out and don’t raise your shoulders or chest.  Once you get used to this you’ll see immediate results.  

Tip Two: Stop Multi-Tasking (it doesn’t work!)

Multi-tasking is an accepted part of a busy day and the only way to get all the things done in such a short amount of time, right? 

Wrong. 

Multi-tasking actually takes an average of 40% longer to complete tasks, as opposed to completing them one by one.  Multi-Tasking will reduce your daily stress, you’ll be 40% more productive, and the quality of your work will increase dramatically. 

Set mini-boundaries and close your email, phone, etc. while you finish one project or assignment at a time.  You can check your email and texts in between projects, but the more you try to do all at once the less you’ll actually get done. 

Tip Three: The Power of Yes Comes From Saying No

Oprah was 100% right when she shared her article ‘The Power of Yes.’ If we say yes to everything, every side project or hobby or extra stuff at work, then we make it impossible to deliver our best quality work. 

We say yes because we don’t want to disappoint people, but the reality is that people aren’t disappointed when we say ‘no’ to something – They are disappointed when we say yes and don’t deliver on our commitment. 

An easy method to prevent yourself from saying ‘Yes’ to everything is to simply state that you love the idea but you need to process it and get back to the person. Talk it over with your friend or spouse and make a non-emotionally-based decision that is best for YOU.

Then when you do say YES to something, it will have true meaning because it is truly something you want to do.