The best part about a good vacation is how it can bring feelings of relaxation, peace of mind, and restoration. For a lot of people, however, those feelings are fleeting, and it’s not too long till you’re planning another vacation just to get a little bit of that peace and happiness again. As a society, we are constantly chasing happiness in the form of a stress-free life, but it always seems just out of reach. We get caught up in work stress, relationship stress, and much more. We may become so stressed that we start to feel depressed, anxious, or burnt out. Stress really does seem inevitable most times. However, the research on happiness and stress shows there is a way to live a life that is less stressful. On today’s show, we’re going to look at practical and research-based ways to reduce stress so you can live a happier life.

Key Takeaways
It’s essential to cultivate a mindset of happiness, no matter the circumstances. Doing this changes the lens in which you see the world, leading to less stress and more positivity.
Make a conscious effort to be kind. This improves the day of those you are kind to as well as your own, leading to reduced negativity in your life.
Create daily practices. Have a routine of things to help you stay focused throughout the day while reducing stress.

Episode Moments/Quotes

5:38 - “Throw out the idea, the thought, that has probably been planted in your head, that success precedes happiness.” -Dr. Neely

7:01 - “Success is a moving target. We have to ground our level of stress and how we manage it in something that we have control of.” -Dr. Neely

10:28 - Exercise about the importance of mindset in relation to stress.

16:07 - “We pick up negative emotions like secondhand smoke.” -Dr. Neely.

Resources/Things Mentioned During The Show:


Drop The BS Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dropthebspodcast/
Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
Neely Counseling Center: www.neelycounseling.com