Why You're Making Life Harder Than It Needs to Be: And How to Stop

Isn't it astonishing how we, yes including me, tend to make life more complicated than it really has to be?

It's like there's an invisible button we press that says, "Let's ramp up the difficulty level," even when it's totally unnecessary. But hey, making things harder isn't necessarily a bad thing.

In fact, it's quite human. The tricky paths often teach us valuable lessons, so there's a sort of beauty in the complexity.

However, once we realize we're the ones adding the extra layers of difficulty, we're presented with a golden opportunity: the chance to simplify things. Imagine doing things more smoothly, with a sense of ease.

Sounds nice, doesn't it?

Before we dive into the 'how,' let's take a closer look at the 'why' we make things harder for ourselves.

Our Talent for Complication

Here's what we do: we overthink, stress out, and add unnecessary steps to our tasks.

We procrastinate, letting tasks pile up until the mere thought of them becomes a source of dread.

We fret over things beyond our control, like other people's opinions.

All these behaviors are our mind's way of trying to protect us, but they're often more trouble than they're worth.

Let's break down some common scenarios where we complicate things unnecessarily:

• The Dreaded Email: There's an email waiting for your response. It requires a few steps before you can reply, but you keep putting it off because your to-do list feels overwhelming. Eventually, what could have been a straightforward task turns into a mountain of stress.
• Trip Planning Panic: Planning a trip should be exciting, right? But instead, you find yourself worrying about every possible scenario, making the task feel insurmountable.
• The Never-Ending To-Do List: With a long list of tasks, you bounce from one to another in panic mode, feeling overwhelmed and accomplishing little.
• Social Gathering Stress: Hosting a get-together becomes an overblown event, with days spent in preparation for what could have been a simple gathering.

Recognizing these patterns of complication is the first step toward simplification.

The Ripple Effect on Our Diet and Health

The way we complicate things doesn't just stop at our daily tasks or social interactions; it seeps into our diet and health too.

The stress and overwhelm from making life harder can lead to poor eating habits, skipped meals, or the opposite—stress eating. These habits can affect our physical health in more ways than we might think.

Eating Under Stress: A Recipe for Trouble

When we're stressed, our bodies are in a constant state of 'fight or flight,' which can lead to cravings for high-sugar, high-fat foods.

Why?

Because our bodies are looking for quick energy to flee from perceived danger (even if that danger is just an overflowing inbox). Over time, this can lead to unwanted weight gain, unbalanced diets, and a cycle of stress eating that's hard to break.

The Overwhelm-Health Cycle

Being overwhelmed can also mean we're less likely to cook healthy meals or exercise. Who wants to chop vegetables or go for a run when there's a mountain of tasks looming over you?

This leads to a cycle where stress affects our health, and then poor health further increases our stress levels. It's a tough cycle to break, but not impossible.

Simplifying for Health

Just as simplifying our tasks can make life more manageable, simplifying our approach to diet and health can lead to better outcomes. Here are some ways to do that:

• Plan Simple Meals: Instead of complicated recipes, opt for simple, nutritious meals that are easy to prepare. Think whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
• Listen to Your Body: Eat when you're hungry, stop when you're full. Sounds simple, but it requires tuning into your body's cues instead of eating out of stress or boredom.
• Mindful Eating: Take the time to enjoy your food. Eating mindfully can help reduce overeating and increase satisfaction with meals.
• Physical Activity as Joy: Find forms of physical activity that you enjoy. Whether it's dancing, walking, yoga, or playing a sport, moving your body should feel good, not like a punishment.

By simplifying our approach to diet and health, we not only improve our physical wellbeing but our mental health too.

Stress can make everything seem harder, including taking care of our health. But by adopting a simpler, more mindful approach to eating and exercise, we can break the cycle of stress and its impact on our health.

Remember, simplicity in diet and health doesn't mean neglecting nutrition or exercise; it means finding and focusing on what truly nourishes our bodies and minds, making healthy living a natural, stress-free part of our daily routine. Here's to a healthier, simpler way of living—bon appétit and cheers to good health!

Simplifying Life: A Few Simple Questions

When you find yourself spiraling into complexity, pause and ask yourself:

1. How am I making this harder?
2. How could I do it as simply and easily as possible?
3. How would I approach this if I trusted myself?

Imagine approaching life with a sense of play, adventure, and joy. Consider every task, every challenge, as an opportunity to bring simplicity and ease into your life.

This journey toward simplicity isn't a race; it's a lifelong practice.

By embracing simplicity and trust, we can shed unnecessary stress and enjoy our daily lives with a lighter heart. Here's to finding ease and simplicity in all that we do.