35 Simple Ways to Make Life Easier and Less Stressful Today

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Life is too short to feel stressed all the time. That’s why we’ve put together this list of 35 ways to help make life easier and reduce stress right now.

When you’re a busy mom, life can feel like one stressor after another. There are chores, kids, school, work, pets, and all the other errands in between. In addition to them, we have the many responsibilities of being a parent that requires your attention daily. From making sure your kids are getting to practice on time and have healthy snacks for school, it feels like the list of things to do never ends.

If you are looking for ways to make life easier and experience less stress, you’ve come to the right place! There is no need to feel overwhelmed. A little intentional organization and planning will go a long way in reducing stress levels!

Check out these 35 expert tips on how you can make life easier and less stressful today:

1. Start With Gratitude

When you take time each day to reflect on the things you are grateful for, it can have a profound impact on your overall attitude and outlook. Not only will you feel happier and more positive, but gratitude has also been shown to:

Reduce stress levels
Improve sleep quality
Boost immunity

A great way to start practicing gratitude is to regularly write in a gratitude journal. Writing down everything you feel thankful to have in your life is a fantastic reminder that we need to appreciate every day.

2. Don’t Play the Comparison Game

This one is very easy to slip in. On social media and TV, we constantly see those perfect mothers with sparkling clean and organized houses, homemade 4-step meals for lunch and dinner, and they still have time for the ideal makeup, working out, and having some rest.

You Are Your Only Competition

If you’re even a little tempted to ask yourself if their days have more than 24 hours, you need to stop!

It looks like an ideal life, but it’s not real. They don’t show what happens when the kids don’t want to eat what they cooked or when they don’t have a date with their hubby for months because work demands too much of their time. So, drop the comparison game and learn to love your everyday life just the way it is, perfect or not!

3. Prioritize Self-Care

While some stress is good for us, too much can negatively affect your mental and physical health. Stress is linked to increased risk of:

Heart disease
High blood pressure
Obesity
Even depression

Fortunately, there are many ways we can reduce stress in our own lives a little bit every day. Reducing stress doesn’t require a massive time commitment or a major lifestyle change. Even small changes can have a significant impact on your stress levels.

Some easy ideas for self-care include:

prioritizing hydration by always having a glass of water nearby
treating yourself to a manicure or easy-to-apply nail polish strips at home
giving yourself an exfoliating treatment in the bath
simply spending less time on your cell phone and exposed to blue-light, especially before bed

Self-care doesn’t need to be elaborate or complicated to make a big difference in how you feel, and when you feel better, life is easier.

4. Get a Good Amount of Quality Rest

The Importance of Sleep

Having a good night’s sleep is a necessity. Period.

Most adults need between 7 and 8 hours of sleep per night. Even sleeping for only 2 hours less, for 6 hours per day, negatively impacts your health and could lead to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. Consider going to bed and waking up at the same time each day to help regulate your body’s natural sleep rhythm.

Getting a long, uninterrupted night’s sleep is vital because it:

Helps your body and brain to function adequately.
Supports a healthy immune system.
Lowers stress levels and helps cope with stress more effectively.
Helps to improve your mood and overall emotional well-being.

Tips and Tricks for Getting Good Sleep

If you have trouble falling asleep, there are a few things you can do to make it easier:

Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening
Get regular exercise
Turn off electronics at least 60+ minutes before bed
Don’t use mobile phones or any other screen device before going to sleep
Get rid of the TV in the bedroom
Keep a cool, dark, and quiet bedroom

5. Develop a Routine to Make Life Easier

When you have a set time and place for everything, and everything is in its place, it can make your life run more smoothly. This is especially true when it comes to your daily routine.

Spend a few minutes each day getting organized, and you’ll be amazed at how much less stressed you feel.

How to Develop a Routine You Can Stick To?

It’s easier than you think! A great way to start is to have a journal. Don’t miss checking out the post I wrote with tons of ideas about minimalist journal pages and trackers you can use to simplify your daily routine.

The first step is to sit down and figure out what you want to accomplish in a day or week.
Once you have a list of the things you need to do, you can start to create a schedule. Always start with the most significant and urgent task first, and don’t proceed to the next one until you’re fully finished with the first.
Then, continue with the other tasks on your daily to-do list.

Having good routines will help you put your family life in order because we all have 24 hours in every day. The key is how you use them.

Regular Household Routines

I always recommend you start with establishing your household routines because they’re part of a mom’s everyday life, and we need to do them daily.

To build a habit, it’s important to do the cleaning tasks even when you don’t feel like it. Besides, you don’t have to do it all alone! Think about what you can delegate to your partner or children.

Here’re some tasks you can think about adding to your house-cleaning list:

Declutter unwanted items and put away toys
Work on your meal plan for the week
Make a list for grocery shopping
Prep meals in advance
Clean the bathroom, including the following:
- Shower
- Tub
- Drain
Clean the kitchen, including the:
- Wipe every stainless steel appliance
- Microwave
- Oven
- Counters and backsplashes
- Fridge
Load the dishes in the dishwasher after dinner
Load the washer with the dirty clothes
Move the washed clothes to the dryer
Empty the dryer and put away the folded clothes
Organize receipts

For more tips, detailed instructions, and free printables to make your house cleaning a breeze, even if you’re a working mom, check out this post, too.

Better yet, if you feel like you already have too much to get done, find other people or machines that can do the cleaning jobs for you! Outsourcing your cleaning by hiring a cleaning service or using amazing inventions like a Roomba can not only be a huge time-saver during the week, but they’re great life hacks to make everyday life easier.

6. Keep Things Simple

Do you know the main difference between people who feel stressed all the time and those who don’t? The first group tried to accomplish too many things at once, while the second group learned to focus on one thing at a time.

Of course, there’s no proven formula that you can follow and achieve success, but you can start making your everyday life easier by learning to focus on one thing at a time and breaking it down into actionable steps. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and stressed out.

One way I made things easier in my home was by not trying to cook dinner from scratch every night. After a busy day, the last thing I felt like doing was spending an hour or two in the kitchen.

Instead, I’ve been able to take things off my plate make life much easier by making freezer meals, and replying on small appliances like my Crock-pot and Instant Pot. These have become sanity-saving gadgets in my home and one of my favorite hacks for making life a little easier.

7. Go Easy on Yourself

We put so much pressure on ourselves all the time, and the result is that we feel tired, overwhelmed, and stressed. You can’t do it all. Understand that it’s okay to make mistakes and take a break when you need it.

Make a conscious decision to go easier on yourself. Don’t beat yourself up for getting frustrated with your kids, leaving undone tasks, or not accomplishing more. We all struggle, and we all need to be kinder to ourselves.

Yes, there may be pasta or sandwiches for two or even three days in a row. Again. Even though you promised yourself that the last time would be your last time, who cares? You’ll have healthy air-fryer turkey burgers with your favorite flavorings the day after! There’s dinner, right? Don’t be so hard on yourself!

Sometimes, it’s helpful to step back from the situation to gain a new perspective. Take a few deep breaths, think positively, and remember that you are doing the best you can. When you’re kind to yourself, it pays off in the long run.

8. Get Regular Exercise

Get moving! Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and improve our physical and mental health! Even a moderate amount of exercise can:

Lower blood pressure
Reduce anxiety
Boost your mood
Improve sleep quality (who doesn’t want to sleep better?)

Don’t allow procrastination to stand between you and your fit and healthy body. You can try using a smartwatch or another tech gadget to challenge yourself to exercise more.

9. Spend Time in Nature and Get Sunlight!

Spending time in nature can have a profound impact on your mental and physical health.

In one study, people who took a 90-minute walk in a natural setting had lower levels of rumination (i.e., repetitive negative thinking) and felt more connected to nature afterward.

So, get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of nature!

10. Make Life Easier: Spend Time in Quiet

Taking a break from all the noise around you can be a great way to make your life easier and improve your emotional well-being. You don’t need to go on a trip to the mountains to find silence – there are many ways to find it right where you are:

Spend time in your garden or backyard
Focus on your breath
Listen to calming music
Benefit from aromatherapy by adding some pleasant odors to the room
Wear earplugs while you’re working
Sit in silence for a few minutes each day

Prayer

Praying is one of the ways to spend a little time being quiet. Prayer is communication with God, and it’s vital for having a relationship with God, no matter your religion. You can pray at all times and in all places. Your prayers do not need to be long and involved to be effective. And you can pray for anything and everything.

Meditation

Meditation is another way to spend time in quiet. It’s a practice of mindfulness and concentration. Meditation is not a religion and does not require any special equipment, clothing, or posture. You can do it anywhere and for as long or as short as you want. And it improves your patience, too (which all of us moms need a whole lot of).

But don’t limit yourself! If you just feel like sitting quietly, unannoyed, do it! It will pay off.

11. Declutter

Clutter is a major source of stress, but it can be avoided. Less stuff translates to less work and less stress. A study by the National Soap and Detergent Association shows that removing clutter could cut your housework by 40%.

The first step to decluttering your life is to evaluate what’s important to you and what’s not. Once you’ve done that, you can start getting rid of the things that no longer serve you.

If you’re still struggling to start putting your house in order, try setting a timer for 10 minutes and declutter until your alarm turns on. Do this 2-3 times a day, and you’ll see positive results in no time!

I also wrote a blog post with ideas to make decluttering fun! You should definitely check it out, too!

12. Get Organized to Make Life Easier

Make Things Easy to Find

Having a place for everything and everything in its place makes things much easier to find. That’s the goal of the organization, and it’s a great way to simplify your life. When you’re organized, you know where things are, and you can find everything when you need it. You’re also more likely to stay on top of things, which can help you avoid stress.

Solutions That Work for Your Real Life

There are many ways to get organized; the best way is the one that works for you. Some people like using labels and color-coded systems, while others prefer a more simplified approach. Whichever method you choose, just make sure it works for you and your lifestyle.

13. Make Life Easier and Let Go of Expectations

The thing is, a lot of disappointment comes from unrealistic expectations. It’s important to remember that you cannot control everything. And that’s okay! In fact, it’s normal. Work towards and accept the things you cannot change.

So, if you’re feeling disappointed, ask yourself if your expectations were realistic. This will allow you to look at things from a whole new perspective. If they weren’t realistic, it’s time to let them go and focus on what you can control.

14. Say No

Stop over-committing yourself! One of the best things you can do to reduce stress in your life is to learn to set boundaries and say “no.” You don’t have to agree with everything. If you are already feeling stretched thin, politely decline any additional requests.

I am a big believer that “No” is a complete sentence, but if you’re worried about sounding rude, here are ten ways to let someone down easily:

Thank you so much for thinking of me, but I’m not going to be able to make it.
I wish I could, but I already have plans.
Unfortunately, I’m not available at that time.
If we didn’t already have plans, I would be there in a heartbeat!
That sounds amazing! I wish we could be there.
I’m so sorry, but I can’t make it.
I can’t make it this time, but I’d love to next time!
I’m not available then, unfortunately, but if you ever do it again, please let me know.
You’re so sweet to invite me. I wish I could attend!
Thank you so much, but I won’t be able to make it, unfortunately.

15. Set Achievable Goals

You can get anything you want as long as you set achievable goals and work on them until you cross the finish line. Having clear goals will help you make better decisions in different unexpected situations.

You can learn how to set smart goals easily. I explain the process in detail in this blog post and provide you with some free printable resources, too! Start with them, and you’ll celebrate your progress sooner than expected!

16. Let Others Support You

You can do it all, but you don’t have to do it all by yourself! The truth is, you can’t do it all. You’re not superhuman, and you’re not expected to be.

So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask for help. There’s no shame in admitting that you need some assistance. And there’s no shame in accepting help when being offered. In fact, it’s a sign of strength.

17. Practice Forgiveness of Yourself and Others

Carrying around resentment and bitterness is only going to make your life harder. It will weigh you down and make you unhappy. So, let it go.

Forgiving others is not easy, but it’s important. When you forgive, you’re choosing to let go of the anger and pain that’s been weighing you down. You’re also choosing to move on with your own life.

And don’t forget to forgive yourself! We all make mistakes, and we all deserve forgiveness. If you’re going to implement only one way to make life easier from this post, let it be this one. This simple act will have a huge impact on your life immediately.

18. Make Life Easier: Have a Hobby

Doing things you enjoy is a great way to relax and de-stress. When you have a hobby, you can take your mind off your worries and focus on something that makes you happy.

And there are plenty of hobbies to choose from. You can read, write, play sports, listen to music, or even just take a walk in the park. Whatever you enjoy, make sure to make time for it in your life.

I know when our lives are always crazy busy, our brains sometimes reject the idea of starting something new merely for pleasure, but you can try tricking it by trying out hobbies that can make you a decent amount of money every month. How cool is that!

19. Disconnect from Toxic People and Situations to Make Life Easier

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

Jim Rohn

This means that if you want to be successful and happy, you need to surround yourself with people who have those same goals.

On the other hand, if you’re surrounded by negative and pessimistic people, you’re more likely to be negative and pessimistic. So, it’s necessary to be mindful of the company you keep.

And it’s not just the people in your life but also the situations you’re in. If you’re in a toxic situation, it’s crucial to get out. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life.

20. Have a Positive Mindset

One thing that can change your life immediately is to understand that you choose how to feel about every situation in your life. And you can choose to react to a negative situation with a negative mindset. However, you can choose to believe everything’s happening for your benefit.

Decide you can see the world through different eyes and choose to be positive and grateful for what you have. You will understand that every difficulty you encounter is an opportunity to grow and become a better version of yourself. Besides, approaching even the biggest problems full of positive energy helps you find solutions much faster.

I understand it’s easier said than done, but it is a choice you can make every day that can help you have an easier life. Start small and build it up from there. Trust me on this one! It’s a total game-changer!

21. Plan Ahead to Make Life Easier

There’s nothing worse than being caught off guard. When you’re unprepared, it can lead to all sorts of problems. So, it’s essential to plan ahead.

By taking the time to plan ahead, you can avoid a lot of unnecessary stress. Trust me, your future self will thank you for it! Again – start small. Make a list and break down your tasks into small, manageable steps you can check off as you go. Be consistent and positive results will follow!

22. Have Regular Dates

Make it a priority to have regular dates with your significant other, friends, and/or yourself. Even if you’re single, you can still have dates with your friends and/or yourself on a regular basis. It’s important to nurture your relationships and make time for the people and things you care about.

Here are some ideas about fun dates you can have with your:

Partner

Looking for romantic date ideas? Here’s 50:

Friends

Have fun and bond with this fun list of ideas from GeekGirlsLife.com:

Pedicures and manicures
Board game night
Shopping
Escape Rooms
Spa Dates
Book Club
Gym Class
Movies
Walks
Painting/Art Classes
Amusement Parks
Beach Days
Vision Boards

Yourself

And a wonderful list of self-dates that you won’t wanna miss:

23. Make Life Easier: Have Clear Priorities

You can’t do it all, so you need to focus on what’s most important to you. To do that, you need to have clear priorities.

When you know what the most important things for you are, it’s easier to make better decisions. And when you make decisions based on your priorities, you’re more likely to be happy with the outcome.

You can set your priorities straight by asking yourself and answering the following questions.

What are three things you would take with you if your house were on fire?
What are three things you can’t live without?
What are three things that make you happy?

This will give you clarity about what you value most in life and what you should focus on.

24. Don’t Overschedule Yourself

When you’re constantly on the go, it’s easy to get burned out. So, it’s crucial to take some time for yourself, and that means saying “no” to some things.

Don’t stretch yourself too thin. You don’t have to say “yes” to everything. There are only 24 hours in a day so you need to be realistic about what you can and can’t do. When you agree to add something more to your calendar, make sure it’s something you really want to do. Otherwise, you’re just going to end up feeling resentful.

25. Delegate and Outsource

I know that, as moms, we can sometimes be control freaks, but we all need to practice delegating and outsourcing. When you delegate and outsource, you’re taking some of the pressure off yourself.

That’s a good thing! There’s no shame in admitting that you can’t do it all.

In fact, it’s a sign of strength. Trusting someone to do something for you takes a lot of courage. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Every family member from your household can help with something. They just need to know how first.

26. Create a Peaceful Home Environment

Your home should be your sanctuary. It should be a place where you can relax and unwind. So, it’s important to create a peaceful environment. There are a few things you can do to create a more calm atmosphere in your home.

First, declutter. Get rid of anything that doesn’t bring you joy.
Second, add some plants. Plants can literally add life to a space, making it feel more alive.
Third, add some soft Lighting. Lighting can have a significant impact on the feel of a space.
Fourth, use calming colors. Colors can greatly impact your mood.
And fifth, clean regularly! If your home feels clean, your mind will feel well, too! A cleaning schedule helps in building a cleaning habit.

27. Be Intentional (Stop Wasting Time)

Many people live their lives on autopilot. They go through the motions, but they’re not really living. To make your life easier, you need to be more intentional with your time. That means you need to stop wasting time.

You need to be more aware of your thoughts, emotions, and actions. Instead of letting your life just happen to you, take control!

Start by setting some goals. What do you want to achieve in the next year? The next five years? The next ten years? And then create a plan to achieve those goals. What steps do you need to take to make them happen?

And finally, take action! Don’t just sit there and wait for things to happen. Make them happen!

28. Make Life Easier: Live in the Moment

It’s easy to get caught up in the past or spend your whole time worrying about the future, but if you want to make your life easier, you need to live in the moment. When you’re constantly in the past or the future, you’re not really living. You’re missing out on all the good stuff that’s happening right now.

So, take a step back and enjoy the moment. Appreciate the gift of today. Enjoy all the good things happening in your life and focus on the things that will matter in the long run. And if you’re feeling stressed:

Try to take some deep breaths and focus on the present moment.
Practice gratitude and be thankful for what you have.
And finally, let go of the things you can’t control.

29. Live Within Your Means (Budget, Don’t Overspend)

Money is a major source of stress for many people, and stress is one of the most common causes of heart disease. As Americans, we are known to be spenders. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if you’re spending more than you’re making, it can be a problem. It’s better to spend less than you make.

Make life easier by budgeting and living within your means. One way to do that is to create a household budget. When you have a budget, you’re more aware of your spending, and you’re less likely to impulse buy or overspend.

30. Make Life Easier and Eliminate Stressors

There are a lot of things in life that we can’t control. But there are also a lot of things that we can control. And if you want to make your life easier, you need to focus on the things you can control.

For example:

You can’t control traffic, but you can control what time you leave for work. So, if you’re always stressed out about being late, leave earlier!
You can’t control other people, but you can control how you react to them. So, if someone cuts you off in traffic, don’t let it ruin your day.

Make life easier by eliminating the stressors that you can control!

31. Establish Boundaries With Yourself, Your Time, and Others

One of the best ways to reduce stress is to let set boundaries. This is especially important if you have children at a young age.

You need to set boundaries with your kids. That means teaching them to respect your time and space. Choose your battles carefully. You only have so much time and energy, so you need to be selective about how you spend it.

You also need to set boundaries with your time. It’s hard, especially with younger kiddos, but you need to start them small. Otherwise, you’ll be facing a lot more struggles when they’re older.

And finally, you need to set boundaries with other people. You don’t have to do everything that they want you to do. You need to put yourself first sometimes!

32. Be Flexible

Life is unpredictable, and that’s okay! In fact, that’s what makes life interesting. Taking life too seriously can make it really stressful. When you’re too rigid, you’re not able to roll with the punches, and you get easily stressed out when things don’t go according to plan.

Instead, try to be more flexible. Go with the flow. And most importantly, don’t sweat the small things!

33. Have Fun Every Day

You don’t always have to be working or taking care of others if you want to reduce your stress. You can relieve it by having fun and enjoying yourself! Do something you enjoy every day, whether it’s:

Reading
Playing a musical instrument
Watching a movie
Going for a walk
Playing a sport

Choose to spend some time doing activities that make you happy and allow you to relax. Make sure to schedule some time for yourself every day!

34. Find Something to Laugh About

Laughter is the best medicine! It’s a great way to reduce stress and make life easier. So, make sure to find something to laugh about every day.

And if you’re having trouble finding things to laugh about, try:

Watching a funny TV show or movie
Reading a funny book
Hanging out with friends that make you laugh
Spending more time with a beloved family member

Laughter really is medicine – it’s science!

35. Don’t Waste Time Worrying

Worrying is a waste of time and energy. It can be the cause of a lot of stress. Instead of worrying, try to focus on the present moment. Live in the moment and enjoy your life exactly where you are.

And if you’re having trouble letting go of your worries, try to:

Focus on the right now.
Practice gratitude and be thankful for what you have.
Try to remind yourself that you’ll be able to handle anything that comes your way. After all, you always have. Changing your mindset is a process, and it may not work every single time, but you’ll get better at it with time and practice.
Finally, let go of the things you can’t control.

Let Life Be Easy

Making your life easier and less stressful doesn’t have to be complicated. There are stressors in our lives we can’t avoid, but we have to learn how to manage them. The best way to do this is to create a plan focusing on each stressor and taking it one step at a time.

Try to make peace with the fact that you won’t be able to do everything at once. Start with these 35 simple tips and see how much easier your life can be!

Do you have any other tips on how to make life easier and less stressful? Please share them in the comments below!