4 Psychological strategies to simplify your life
Although the human brain has been the subject of study since 17th century BC, many of us remain uncertain about how to effectively harness this formidable tool. Fortunately, science has taken the lead in uncovering four psychological techniques that can simplify our lives.
These psychological strategies function as life’s cheat codes, enabling us to navigate it with reduced resistance and providing insights into understanding and effectively managing human behavior.
Let’s delve into it!
01. Stay calm when someone elevates their voice
Yelling is harmful to interpersonal connections and rarely leads to positive outcomes. When someone raises their voice, they seek emotional control, aiming to intimidate and gain an advantage. However, yielding to yelling only provides short-term results, with long-term consequences.
Instead of reacting in kind, remain calm, take a step back, avoid agreement, assert boundaries against yelling, and consider taking a break to defuse the situation.
Understanding the motive behind the yelling and responding thoughtfully can prevent escalation and emphasize that emotional abuse is not tolerated. Don’t let yelling damage you or your relationships.
02. Write down your thoughts when experiencing stress or anxiety
Expressive writing, a therapeutic method documenting inner thoughts, fosters emotional connection, reduces stress, and improves mental well-being. Inspired by Anne Frank’s diary, this practice encourages reflective moments amid the challenges of today’s fast-paced world.
Expressive writing provides a beneficial emotional detachment, allowing contemplation before immediate action and expression without fear of repercussions. Acting as both creators and audiences of our writing, we escape external judgment consequences. Techniques include punctuation-free writing (automatic writing), continuous writing without sentence structure concerns, and subsequent analysis for identifying core concerns.
Adopting perspectives of the older or younger self during writing explores unhealed aspects, contributing to mental clarity for tasks requiring concentration or creativity. In essence, expressive writing is a valuable tool for decluttering the mind and enhancing cognitive well-being.
03. Correct posture has the potential to enhance confidence
We’ve all experienced it—hunching over our phones, computers, or during interactions. Interestingly, posture significantly influences confidence and cognitive processes. Studies show that sitting up straight boosts belief in written thoughts about job qualifications, while slumping diminishes this confidence.
The impact of posture on thought quality has been recognized since the 14th Century and is now scientifically validated. Maintaining proper posture not only enhances confidence but also improves brain function by increasing oxygen intake. Adopting ‘power poses’ signals confidence to the brain, leading to more self-assured decision-making.
In essence, cultivating good posture is a trainable behavior with profound psychological benefits, positively influencing confidence and cognitive well-being.
04. Create a sense of importance when seeking assistance from others
Acknowledgments play a substantial role in speeches, books, and movies because achievement is a collective effort. While helping others brings joy, some find it challenging to seek assistance, affecting confidence and causing anxiety. Learning to ask for and accept help is a crucial skill.
To effectively seek help:
- Be concise and specific. Clearly communicate the task, its importance, and the specific contribution needed, avoiding over-explanation.
- Avoid apologizing. Asking for help is a common need; apologizing implies wrongdoing and diminishes the significance of the assistance.
- Make it personal. Face-to-face requests are 34 times more successful; personalize by highlighting the person’s unique skills suited for the task.
- Share results. Demonstrate the impact of their assistance, emphasizing how their support matters and contributes to broader life outcomes.
4 Psychological strategies to simplify your life conclusion
And there you have it — four psychological strategies to simplify your life. I trust that the examples and explanations in this guide empower you not only to streamline your life but also to turn challenges into opportunities. May this knowledge lead you towards a future filled with limitless possibilities and lasting ease.
