How Micro Habits Can Help Reduce Stress – Small Changes, Big Impact

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one

thought over another.“

William James

I hope this finds you doing well and you’ve chosen to press the reset, refresh and renew button as we head into Fall.

If you read my previous post, I shared how I’ve been reading James Clear’s book on Atomic Habits and wrote an article on how micro habits can be a start to changing up things you desire to change in your life. This is especially true when wanting to have less stress, overwhelm and anxiety in your life.

Small, doable actions that become habits are key to feeling less stressed and more in control of your life.

I’ve been incorporating some physical therapy exercise routines around core strength into my everyday “habits,” and they are starting to become second nature to me.

If you haven’t already accessed the Micro Habits Report I created, I encourage you to do so. I know it will support you, along with today’s article and more articles to come, on how effective micro habits can be in getting the results you want.

Warmly,

Jackie

Jackie Foskett,
Healing Hypnotherapy

Let’s face it, life can be pretty stressful at times! Regardless of who we are, there are things in our lives that at times can cause us to feel stressed, overwhelmed and out of control. However, you don’t need to throw in the towel and feel there is nothing you can do about it. Because there is.

What if I told you that you could use something as simple as habits to help manage your daily stress?

Here’s how developing micro habits can play a big role in reducing your stress and making life a little bit easier.

The Magic of Small Habits

If you are not exactly sure what a micro habit is, it is exactly as it sounds. Micro habits are those tiny actions, little habits or actions that you may barely notice doing, but that can make a big difference over time.

When you make something a habit, it becomes automatic, which is why you may not notice it, however, your mind does. That automatic response relieves your mind of decision fatigue and unnecessary mental strain. It’s like having a built-in support system that helps you handle stress better.

Imagine you start your day with a simple habit, like stretching for five minutes. It might seem minor to you and it’s something you like doing it when you wake up. However, this micro habit, or tiny routine, sets a positive tone for your day.

It’s a small action that doesn’t require a lot of effort from you, yet makes a big difference in how you feel. Plus, because it gets your body moving, it’s a good stress-buster!

Creating a Sense of Control

One of the biggest stress relievers we have is feeling like we are in control. When everything around you feels chaotic, it feels like everything is out of your hands! Having a reliable routine can be a lifesaver.

For example, if you can consistently start your morning with something that calms you, it will help you feel more clear-headed.

This sense of clear-headedness and control is comforting and can help you handle any stress that may be inevitable in your day.

The Comfort of Routine

Routine isn’t just about sticking to a schedule, it’s about creating a sense of predictability. When you have consistent habits, like a set bedtime or regular meal times, you don’t have to waste mental energy deciding what comes next.

I like to use the example of Steve Jobs and his black turtleneck sweaters. By wearing the same outfit every day, he eliminated the need to decide what to wear, freeing up his mental energy for more important decisions and avoiding unnecessary stress over fashion.

He was with a lot of people every day, yet didn’t care about being seen in the same ‘look,’ and it allowed him to focus on what he deemed was most important.

Back to predictability. This predictability helps reduce stress because it provides a stable environment for you.

Here’s another example: Before bed every night, if you take a nice hot shower, this signals to your body that it is time to wind down. This habit not only helps improve your sleep but also makes it easier for you to relax and recover from the day’s stresses.

Building Resilience Through Habits

Some habits are like the ultimate weapons against stress.

Practices like mindfulness, deep breathing, meditation and/or self hypnosis exercises are fantastic for building mental resilience.

If you can incorporate these simple techniques into your routine, you will be better able to handle stressful situations much more effectively, feel lighter mentally and emotionally and more in control of your responses to stressful situations.

That’s what being resilient is!

So please, think about adding a few minutes of some sort of stress busting exercises to your daily routine. It doesn’t need to be long. You just need to allocate 5 or 10 minutes!

This is a micro habit at its best! Over time, this small habit will help you stay grounded and more capable of handling life’s curveballs.

Practical Habits for Stress Relief

If you don’t feel like you have any habits that provide you with stress relief, here are a few habits that may help you manage your stress levels better.

• Daily Exercise – Just a short walk or a few minutes of physical activity can help to lift your mood and reduce your stress levels. Exercise is a dopamine booster and better than any pill!

• Mindful Meditation – A few minutes of mindfulness each day can help calm your mind and enhance your stress management skills.

• Consistent Sleep Schedule – Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day is so important for your health and for reducing stress.

• Healthy Eating Habits – Eating balanced meals regularly helps stabilize your mood and energy levels, making it easier to cope with stress.

• Relaxation Techniques –Incorporating deep breathing, meditation or progressive muscle relaxation into your routine can help lower stress and promote relaxation.

In Summary

Micro habits might seem small, but they pack a powerful punch when it comes to managing stress. By building routines that provide structure and predictability, you can reduce stress almost immediately!

So, why not get started? Again, they need to be small, so it’s not too scary to start. After all, sometimes the smallest changes lead to the greatest improvements in our lives, and if they are stress relievers that’s even better.

If you feel challenged to start any new micro habits for stress relief and want support in getting started, Healing Hypnotherapy is here to help.

Schedule a complimentary discovery session and we’ll explore how hypnotherapy mind coaching can work for you.

3 Ways to connect:

https://healinghypnotherapy.com/how-can-we-help-you/

Jackie@JackieFoskett.com

Phone/text: 425-941-2051