The Art of Doing Less: Simple Ways to Reduce Stress and Find Balance
Billy Joel sang, “Slow down, you’re doin’ fine. You can’t be everything you wanna be before your time (Vienna).”
Tina Fey also said you can have it all, just not at the same time (Bossypants).
In a time when email feels like instant demands and texting is no longer a novelty but more prevalent than a phone call or a wave from a neighbor, everything feels rushed.
It takes a toll. It can feel like there’s so much on the to-do list.
Learning to do less has actually become an art. I’ve discovered a few tips that help. It’s not easy, but over time, doing less becomes a brilliant way to paint a less stressful routine.
- Use a timer (or play your favorite song) and actually take a ten minute break.
- Go for a ten minute walk.
- Cut off the phone.
- Cut off the ties that add stress.
- Go sit on the porch for a while and pause to breathe.
Look for stressed out birds or spiders or deer. You won’t find them. Yet, they are usually doing okay.
Joel stated it best, “Slow down, you crazy child. And take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while” (Vienna).
- Journaling helps. Write down the goals and check them off as you acquire them. You may not be perfect, but it’s exciting to acknowledge success and learn more about your goals and routines. Sometimes just putting thoughts and worries down on paper is a great way to unload.
- Stop making comparisons with everyone, yourself included. Your good enough is good enough. Did you reach for better? Did you do a little better? That’s fine. For example, others may run three miles a day. For you, a ten minute walk may be your version of better, and if you stay there, that’s just fine too.
Take a few moments to remember what you are grateful for. Think about all you have accomplished, gone through, defeated, risen to resilience through and remember those you love and those who love you.
As the song goes, “You’re so ahead of yourself, that you forgot what you need. Though you can see when you’re wrong; You know you can’t always see when you’re right” (Joel).
Doing less is not easy, it takes practice and patience.
Reagan O’Hare, MA, M Ed, LPC is a therapist that works with children, teens and young adults at our San Antonio office. Reagan is also available via telehealth services.
