11 Characteristics of stress free living

There is plenty of talk about what stress is and how it affects people. The symptoms of stress; be they behavioural, physical, emotional, or psychological, are well documented. It is important that we have an understanding of the consequences and symptoms of stress so that we can recognise it at the first opportunity and make the necessary changes. However, just as we need to know what we are trying to avoid, we also need to know what it is that we are trying to create i.e. stress free living. Stress free living is a common goal. Unfortunately, most people have little idea what stress free living would look like. Like any goal, if you want to achieve it, you need to know what the end result is going to look like. At the very least, you need to have a clear image of what you are trying to accomplish. The end result may differ slightly but having a clear image will serve to motivate you and give you something to measure your progress against. So what does stress free living look like?

11 Characteristics of stress free living

The following are 11 characteristics of stress free living. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list but it should present you with a good idea of what it would be like to live free from stress.

1. Flexible and open to options

Stress free living requires you to know all of the commitments that you have made; both to others and to yourself. When you have captured all of your commitments, you are able to make clear decisions whenever an opportunity presents itself. If you want to take that opportunity, you know the commitments that you need to renegotiate to make time for the new opportunity. This makes the decision a lot clearer.

 2. Effective and synergistic relationships

You find it easier to manage relationships as you are clear on what commitments you can and cannot make. When you need to renegotiate a commitment, you notice it quickly thus allowing you to give as much advance notice as possible. There is no need to compete or compare as you realise that each person has their own purpose and needs; and they are merely doing their best to fulfil them. Instead, you are able to identify opportunities to work together for mutual benefit.

 3. Continuous improvement

You are able to look ahead and see where you might need to improve your knowledge or skills. As you are skilled at productivity, you are able to view each learning assignment as its own project and work it seamlessly into your life.

 4. Extraordinary achievement

You do not major in minor things. You have an ability to determine what is truly important and focus your energy on that. With the ability to control your focus you can make the most of your intelligence and your creativity to create the most effective plan for completing your projects. With your productivity skills, you then make sure that the plan gets implemented, one action at a time.

 5. Psychological resilience

You can handle anything which is thrown at you and you are confident in your ability to do so. You have excellent problem solving skills and an innate ability to determine the appropriate level at which to discuss any issue.

 6. Clear boundaries

You do not just manage your work, you manage your life. Because you have a well structured system to ensure that everything which needs to get done gets done; you are able to switch from work to personal activities without bringing your work brain with you. Wherever you are at any moment; that’s where you are i.e. that activity has 100% of your focus. This approach leads to a more balanced life where all areas of focus get the attention they require.

 7. Live with confidence

You are in charge of your life and you have developed the personal productivity mindset to deal with whatever life throws at you. You know that there will be setbacks but when they arise, you just focus on what you would like to achieve, determine the next action and get back in the game.

 8. Integrity

You know your purpose, you have a clear vision and a plan to achieve each goal. Your system allows you to focus on completing the next action for each project. Your regular reviews help you to identify when you have strayed off track so that you can quickly make the adjustments to get back on track. Your entire self-management system allows you to maintain consistency between what you say you will do and what you actually do.

 9. You focus on what you can change

If you cannot control it or influence it, you are going to find it difficult to change it. Stress free living requires you to focus on that which you can change at that moment in time. If you would like to change something in the long-term, you will capture that thought and review it regularly but in the short-term, you know that results come from changing that which you change.

 10. Self-awareness

You take the time to know who you are and what you wish to achieve. Self-awareness and self-renewal are of great importance to you. You take time to nourish your spirit and put your true self at the centre of your life.

 11. A shining example of positivity

From the smile on your face to the boundless energy with which you move, you exemplify the positivity which most people can only dream of. You may occasionally have some bad moments, or a bad day or two, but in general you are an energetic, positive, happy human being who is eager to take on the challenges which life presents.

Stress free living is something which we all would like to achieve. There is a common myth in society that we need stress in order to achieve our best. I disagree with this theory. What is commonly thought of as ‘good stress’ is both psychologically and physiologically different to stress. That’s because it is not stress, it is pressure. Pressure helps you to perform to your best and the stress free individual thrives on it. Stress free living will have plenty of pressure and challenge which will help you to achieve extraordinary results; while enjoying the rewards of stress free living. Familiarising yourself with the 11 characteristics of stress free living, above, will help to motivate you and provide you with some criteria to measure your progress by. Enjoy the journey. Image credit: Mara Denard