Stress is a sneaky companion that often finds its way into our lives without us noticing. While many of us can pinpoint the big stressors—like work deadlines or financial worries—there are smaller, subtler habits we engage in every day that silently amplify our stress levels. These “blind” habits can drain our energy, heighten anxiety, and leave us feeling overwhelmed without a clear reason. Here are some ways you may be unknowingly causing yourself stress and how to address them.
- Overcommitting Your Time
It’s easy to say “yes” to every opportunity, social event, or task that comes your way, but constantly overcommitting leaves little room for downtime. Juggling too many responsibilities can make you feel perpetually behind, which compounds stress especially if it’s hindering you from completing your own priorities and routines.
Solution: Learn to set boundaries and say “no” when necessary. As a life coach in St. Louis, we can work together to prioritize what truly matters and recognize that you don’t need to be available for everything or everyone all the time. If saying Yes is natural then try to respond, I would like to but let me double check (eg with my spouse, my planner, my other tentative plans, etc) and get back to you by later today or tomorrow or whatever timeframe works for you. Reflect then Decide.
- Relying on Perfectionism
Perfectionism can seem like a positive trait, but striving for flawlessness in every area of your life puts an immense amount of pressure on yourself. When your standards are impossibly high, even minor mistakes can feel like major failures, leading to constant worry. Strive for Excellence—not perfection.
Solution: Embrace the idea that “done” is often better than “perfect.” Again aim for excellence but give yourself grace to make mistakes and learn from them.
- Lack of Sleep
We all know that sleep is essential, but many people sacrifice it in favor of getting more done. This can create a vicious cycle—lack of sleep lowers your ability to handle stress, making you more irritable, less focused, and prone to anxiety. It also reduces your performance both effectiveness and efficiency.
Solution: Prioritize sleep by creating a bedtime routine and sticking to a consistent sleep schedule. Check out my previous blog post on how to get better sleep here!
- Multitasking
While it seems efficient to tackle multiple things at once, multitasking can actually increase stress. When your brain is constantly switching from one task to another, it requires more cognitive energy, leaving you feeling scattered and less productive. As a busy Life Coach in STL, I also struggle with the pressure to multitask but many times, it is not as productive as it appears.
Solution: Focus on one thing at a time, giving it your full attention. You’ll feel more in control and less frazzled when you complete tasks one by one.
- Constant Digital Connection
Our phones keep us constantly connected, but this also means we’re always “on.” The pressure to respond to messages, emails, or notifications immediately can create a background buzz of anxiety. The fear of missing out or falling behind online adds unnecessary stress. (We look at our phones on average close to 147 times a day—do we really need to?!)
Solution: Schedule “unplugged” times where you disconnect from devices and social media. Try keeping your phone on “Do Not Disturb” during meals and/or before bed. In our sessions, we can work together to come up with a good solution catered to your needs.
- Negative Self-Talk
The way you speak to yourself matters. If your inner dialogue is critical, harsh, or filled with self-doubt, it can alleviate stress levels. Negative self-talk can lead to a constant feeling of not being “good enough” or “falling short,” which wears down your mental resilience over time.
Solution: Think about how compassionate you are to a friend, and have that same compassion for yourself. When you notice negative thoughts creeping in, challenge them and reframe them with more supportive and realistic statements. Nobody’s perfect!
- Skipping Breaks
Many people believe that working non-stop will help them accomplish more, but this often backfires. Not taking breaks can lead to burnout and make even simple tasks feel overwhelming. When you deprive yourself of rest, you lower your ability to manage stress effectively. Life is not a full court press or a sprint, it is a marathon.
Solution: Take regular breaks throughout the day, even if it’s just a short walk or a few minutes of deep breathing. Step away from your desk, stretch, and reset. Breaks can recharge your mental energy and help you approach tasks with more clarity.
- Not having a place for things in your living space.
Many people underestimate the importance of organization. Having a place for everything helps your brain think less. You’ll have a better time keeping track of things if you’re prone to losing objects, and it’ll save you plenty of time from looking for things.
Solution: Create organizational systems in your living space and work space to ensure items aren’t getting lost. This doesn’t have to be a daunting task. You can spend a weekend, and afternoon, or whatever amount of time you have available to reorganize your shelves or desk drawers over time. It is cathartic and well worthwhile for effectiveness.
By becoming aware of these blind habits, you can take proactive steps to minimize their impact and create a healthier, less stressful lifestyle. Remember, managing stress is about finding balance—setting realistic expectations, honoring your need for rest, and being kind to yourself along the way.