Do you find yourself overwhelmed, stressed, and constantly wondering how you are going to get everything done on your to-do list? So many of us live a life with a full plate with little to no time for self-care. Often times this happens because we are so used to saying yes to everything that comes our way. While it’s normal to want to please the ones we love around us, sometimes saying no can be the best thing for your physical and mental health.
In this post, we are going to look at why saying no more can lead to a happier life and how you can get used to saying no when something no longer serves you and your life.
Why Saying "No" More is So Important
Saying yes to everything that comes our way can certainly lead to burnout and chronic stress. Many people feel pressured to say yes to everything asked of them at work from coworkers or say yes to every demand from friends and family. However, this isn’t healthy and can quickly cause a decreased quality of life.
Here are four reasons why saying no more often may actually lead to a happier life.
#1 You Will Gain Respect: Believe it or not, learning to say no to the things that don’t serve you can actually help you gain respect. People will learn to respect your decision. They will respect your strength to say no and for standing up for yourself instead of just saying yes to please others.
#2 You Set Boundaries: If you are used to doing everything for everyone else, saying no more often will help to naturally set boundaries. You will be sending the message that you will no longer be doing and be everything to everyone else. Others around you will quickly pick up on this and stop expecting you to do it all.
#3 You Learn to Stop Overcommitting Yourself to Things: Overcommitment is a common issue for many of us that are accustomed to saying yes to everything. By learning to say no, you will also learn to stop overcommitting and to only commit to the things that really matter and that you know you can fit into your schedule.
#4 You Make Time For Self-Care: I’m sure you have heard about the importance of putting your oxygen mask on first before helping others. Practicing self-care is essential for overall health and happiness, and taking care of yourself will actually allow you to better take care of others. When you say no, you are taking a big step towards taking care of yourself! Instead of doing everything for everyone else before taking care of you, you put yourself first. While of course, we want to help others, it is so important to remember that if we don’t take care of our needs first, we won’t be able to help others at the level we want to.
While saying no may not come naturally at first, the more you practice it, the better you will be at it. When someone asks something of you, really stop and take the time to think about it before you commit. Think about if it is something you want to do and can realistically do with your other commitments. The more you do this, the better you will be and the happier you will be. You will quickly find that the more you say “no,” the more time you have to do the things you really love which can ultimately lead to a happier life! Remember that you don’t have to be everything to everyone, so start by saying “no” to one thing that no longer serves you today. You will be surprised at what a difference this makes in your overall happiness each and every day.
Bonus Tip! Want to help improve productivity, reduce feelings of stress, and feel more in control of your day-to-day life? Adaptogenic herbs like the ones found in our Yinergy and Vigor blends can help support your body and improve your mood so you can feel your best each day.