Stress wreaks havoc on the body.
High levels of chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes, just to name a few of stress’ negative health effects.
While some stress is inevitable in all of our lives, you must effectively manage it if you want to live well.
I have written about some effective ways to control stress, from gaining financial security to exercising to eating and sleeping well.
Here are several other proven ways to reduce stress and increase your well-being:
Work fewer than 40 hours per week
Follow the example set in Denmark, where people work hard but rarely put in more than 37 hours a week. Denmark often ranks as the happiest country in the world, earning the top spot on the World Happiness Report in 3 of the past 6 years (and finishing number 2 and 3 in the other three years).
Take up to 6 weeks of vacation time per year
At the very least, use all of your vacation time per year and keep negotiating for more until you’re getting 6 weeks which is the optimal amount for happiness.
