Having financial resources at your disposal certainly comes with its own challenges and thorns. However, for the most part, it opens you up to benefits that others are unable to enjoy. One such benefit is the ability to spend on things that reduce stress.
The Driving Factors Behind Stress
According to the World Health Organization, “Stress is a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree.”
When it comes to being dissatisfied with life, stress is almost always one of the consistent threads. And believe it or not, stress can usually be tied to one or more of the following:
- Time. Most people either have a time or money problem, meaning you lack time or you lack money. If you lack time, trying to do everything you need to do within the confines of a limited schedule can be stressful.
- Money. Other people are stressed because they lack the financial resources to pay for the things they need. These people may have time, but they don’t have money to use with that time.
- Health. Chronic health conditions, declining health, diseases, and illnesses can produce stress. So can the feeling of not being satisfied with your body or figure.
- Relationships. There’s nothing like a toxic relationship to make you feel stressed and anxious. Even healthy relationships can create stress when there are underlying fears and worries associated with them.
Are there going to be exceptions that don’t fit neatly into one of these four categories? Yes. But 99 percent of all stress can be tied to challenges or fears related to time, money, health, or relationships.
Smart Purchases That Can Reduce Stress
If you’re going to attempt to reduce your overall stress level, you might as well focus on purchases that address these areas of your life. Here are a few to consider:
1. Condos or Apartments
Buying a single-family home with a white picket fence and a lush backyard is a defining staple of the proverbial American Dream. But nobody ever talks about how much stress comes with owning a home that requires constant landscaping and upkeep. There’s something to be said for buying a condo where there’s very little to take care of. Plus, you get amazing amenities that add convenience to your life. For example, The Bristol Palm Beach has concierge services, business conference rooms, and 24/7 valet.
2. Smart Home Technology
Smart home technology has improved by leaps and bounds over the past couple of years. Now that it’s cost-effective, certain gadgets are no-brainers.
Imagine waking up to a house that’s already adjusted the temperature to your preference, coffee brewed, and blinds drawn to let in the morning light—all without lifting a finger. In the evening, a single command can secure your home, switch off lights, and play your favorite relaxation music. By automating these daily tasks, smart home technologies eliminate the small but compounding stressors associated with managing a household.
3. Home Organization Systems
It’s difficult to feel fully relaxed when you’re living in a setting where there’s tons of visual clutter. Decluttering and simplifying your home is one of the quickest ways to regain some mental sanity and relax.
There are plenty of options when it comes to home organization systems – just spend a few minutes browsing The Container Store (or even Target or Walmart, for that matter). But if you have a big problem on your hands, you might want to hire a professional organizer to come in and implement a system on your behalf.
4. Personal Chef or Food Delivery Services
Healthy food is a major contributing factor in healthy living. When you feed your body junk, you’re much more susceptible to stress. But when you consume a healthy, balanced diet, your body has the nutrients it needs to operate at peak capacity. Hiring a personal chef or using food delivery services is a great way to ensure you have a good diet without spending too much time preparing meals.
Make the Right Purchases
Again, every individual is going to have their own unique stress factors, budgets, and needs. However, the point is that there are products out there that make it possible to reduce stress and live a happier life. Choose (and spend) wisely!