Living a stress-free life may seem like a tall order. After all, life is full of challenges that can make us feel overwhelmed and stressed. But guess what? It doesn’t have to be that way.

Hi, I’m Lachlan Brown, founder of Hack Spirit and an ardent practitioner of mindfulness and Buddhism. Over the years, I’ve discovered that living a happier life has a lot to do with adopting specific, simple habits.

You don’t need to seek out grand experiences or make drastic changes to find happiness. It’s all about embracing the small things, making slight adjustments to your everyday routine that can help you lead a stress-free life.

In this article, I’m going to share with you 8 such habits, which have not only made me happier but also drastically reduced my stress levels.

Let’s dive in.

1) Embrace Mindfulness

Stress is often a result of overthinking, worrying about the past or fretting about the future. This mental habit can be hard to break. But don’t worry, there’s a simple, proven strategy that can help you: mindfulness.

Mindfulness, a concept I’ve explored in depth through my Buddhism practice, is all about living in the present moment. It’s about focusing on what’s happening right now, rather than getting caught up in what’s already happened or what might happen.

Practicing mindfulness isn’t as hard as it might sound. You don’t have to meditate for hours or change your entire lifestyle. It can be as simple as taking a few moments each day to focus on your breath, or truly paying attention to the taste and texture of your food while you eat.

When you live in the present moment, you’ll find that many of your worries and stresses simply fade away. They’re often tied to the past or future, and when you focus on the now, they lose their power.

2) Practice Gratitude

Another simple, yet profoundly effective habit that can lead to a happier, stress-free life is practicing gratitude. Now, I know that might sound a bit cliché, but bear with me.

In my personal journey, cultivating an attitude of gratitude has been a game-changer. It’s helped me appreciate what I have, instead of worrying about what I don’t have or what I want next.

Buddhist monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh once said, “The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” This quote particularly resonates with me.

By practicing gratitude, we train ourselves to be attentive to the joy and happiness that’s already present in our lives. It can be as simple as acknowledging the comfort of your bed when you wake up in the morning or appreciating a delicious meal.

When we take the time to appreciate these small moments of joy, we start to shift our focus from the negatives in our life to the positives. This shift in perspective can significantly reduce stress and increase overall happiness.

3) Let Go of What You Can’t Control

One of the key teachings in Buddhism is the idea of non-attachment; not just to material possessions, but also to ideas, thoughts, and control. This concept has a profound impact on stress levels and overall happiness.

Life has a way of throwing curveballs at us. Unexpected events occur, plans change, people act in ways we don’t understand. It can be easy to get caught up in these events, trying to control or manipulate them to fit our desired outcomes.

But the truth is, many things in life are simply beyond our control. And trying to control them only leads to frustration and stress.

Buddha once said, “You only lose what you cling to.” This quote holds so much wisdom. When we let go of our need to control everything, we free ourselves from unnecessary stress and anxiety.

Instead of resisting change or unexpected events, try embracing them. See them as opportunities for growth and learning rather than obstacles to your happiness.

Letting go isn’t easy. It requires practice and patience. But once you start living this way, you’ll find yourself leading a more peaceful, stress-free life.

4) Cultivate Mindful Relationships

Relationships, whether they are familial, romantic, or platonic, play a significant role in our lives. They can bring us immense joy and satisfaction, but can also be a source of stress and anxiety.

The key to healthier, happier relationships lies in mindfulness. Being present in your interactions with others can significantly improve the quality of those relationships and reduce stress.

Mindfulness in relationships means really listening when someone talks to you, without planning your response or getting distracted by your own thoughts. It’s about being fully present during interactions, expressing empathy, and showing genuine interest in others’ experiences.

Mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn once said, “The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.” This quote is especially applicable in the context of relationships. It’s the small moments of connection, the everyday interactions that truly build and strengthen relationships.

By making an effort to be more present in your relationships, you’ll not only deepen your connections with others but also reduce potential misunderstandings and conflicts that can lead to stress.

5) Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego

In my journey towards a happier, stress-free life, one of the most transformative lessons I’ve learned is the importance of living with maximum impact and minimum ego. This concept is so close to my heart that I even wrote a book on it, titled Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego.

Ego often gets in our way. It makes us defensive when criticized, it fuels our desire to be right all the time and it feeds our fears of not being good enough. All of this can lead to a lot of unnecessary stress.

On the other hand, living with maximum impact means making choices that align with our values, contributing positively to the world, and striving for growth and improvement.

When you focus on making a positive impact rather than protecting your ego, you’ll find that a lot of your stress simply melts away. You’ll stop taking things so personally and you’ll feel more fulfilled because you’re living in alignment with your true self.

6) Embrace Impermanence

Life is constantly changing. Nothing stays the same forever, and that’s not a bad thing, it’s just how the universe works. This concept, known as impermanence, is a fundamental principle in Buddhism.

Many of us resist change. We want things to stay the same, we want to hold onto the good times and avoid the bad. But this resistance can cause a lot of stress because it goes against the natural flow of life.

Buddha said, “All conditioned things are impermanent — when one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering.” This quote encapsulates the power of understanding and accepting impermanence.

When we acknowledge that everything is temporary, we can let go of our attachment to specific outcomes and our fear of change. We can start to see life as a series of moments to be experienced fully, rather than a fixed state to be maintained.

7) Practice Self-Compassion

In our quest for happiness and stress-free living, we often overlook one crucial aspect: self-compassion. We can be our own harshest critics, beating ourselves up over perceived failures and mistakes. This can lead to a lot of unnecessary stress and unhappiness.

Self-compassion means treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you’d offer to a good friend. It’s about acknowledging that everyone makes mistakes, and that’s okay. It’s part of being human.

As mindfulness expert Kristin Neff beautifully puts it, “With self-compassion, we give ourselves the same kindness and care we’d give to a good friend.” This quote sums up the essence of self-compassion perfectly.

By being kinder to ourselves, we can reduce the stress and pressure we often put on ourselves to be perfect. We can start to accept ourselves as we are, flaws and all, which can lead to a greater sense of peace and happiness.

8) Embrace Silence

In our fast-paced, constantly connected world, silence can be a rare commodity. We’re so used to being bombarded with noise and information that the idea of embracing silence might seem counterintuitive. But this is exactly where its power lies.

Mindfulness isn’t just about focusing on the present moment. It’s also about learning to appreciate the quiet, still moments in between the hustle and bustle.

Silence gives us a chance to pause, breathe, and just be. It allows us to connect with ourselves on a deeper level, free from the distractions of the outside world.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, a renowned mindfulness expert, once said: “In silence we become more aware of what’s actually happening, as it is happening.”

By embracing silence, even for a few minutes each day, you’ll be surprised at how much calmer and more centered you feel. It’s like giving your mind a mini-vacation from all the noise and chaos of daily life.

Conclusion

Living a stress-free life might not be easy, but it’s definitely possible. By adopting these simple habits, you can start to shift your mindset, reduce your stress levels, and lead a happier life.

Change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a gradual process that requires patience and persistence. 

If you found these insights helpful and want to delve deeper into the teachings of Buddhism and mindfulness, I invite you to check out my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego. It’s packed with practical tips and techniques that can help you live a more fulfilling and peaceful life.