How to simplify life, reduce stress, and gain physical and mental well-being. Stress is a killer and causes many diseases including depression. So what are some things we can do to simplify our lives and reduce the amount of stress?

What you don't already have perhaps you do not need. So there is a beautiful blouse and a nice pair of jeans at the department store and you cant seem to afford it until your next paycheck, don't use a credit card unless you know you can pay right away.

You'll save less stress trying to remember to pay off the sum on your credit card. Many depend upon credit cards to get them by as of more than 70% of workers in the United States live from paycheck to paycheck. Learn to save your money to provide a cushion for emergencies and life threatening situations.

Try buying a used car that you can afford. Save up enough money (cash), then purchase a car. Buying or leasing a car from a dealership can end up costing more than purchasing a used car. Interest fees, leasing fees, and late fees can add to stress.

Use cash to purchase items unless you know certain you can pay back your credit cards, you will sleep better at night knowing you already payed for your groceries, and, therefore a scheduled payment to the credit card company is not needed.

Is your work close to home? Well why not ride your bike to work? Exercise reduces stress by increasing production of endorphins. Endorphins are endogenous opioid polypeptide compounds produced in the brain and the result of creating endorphins reduce the level of pain and improve the mood. Riding your bike is a great way to combat and prepare for stress created at work.

Listening to the trees sway and the the leaves rustle can help reduce stress. As we are a part of nature, it helps us to switch off and take time to smell the roses, this, too, can be very therapeutic. As humans we have evolved so quickly into a society with demands that have yet to give us a chance to theoretically adapt and adjust to. In result, our stress levels continue to rise as the world becomes more demanding. Listening to nature clears worrisome thoughts and aids mental clarity.

Have clutter around your house? Sometimes clutter can cause confusion causing stress and frustration. Holding on to unnecessary items that are not needed might cause irritation or clutter your thoughts. Simplify your life by donating these items to Goodwill or have a yard sale but don't blandly throw these items away. Clutter also decreases one's productivity.

While life is too short, take a vacation or treat your self to a day of relaxation. Your health is important, both mental and physical. Without great health your quality of work and time with your family is compromised. Life will still remain even after it is our time to go. This means, do not stress and allow time for your self to relax.

According to the Rauscher et al. 1993 study, the authors found a temporary increase in spatial intelligence when listening to a sonata by Mozart. Listening to classical music has a tremendous effect on lowering blood pressure, decreasing levels of stress hormones, and slowing the pulse rate of the heart. Sound therapy, music therapy, or sound wave energy is designed to improve or maintain a persons overall health. A sound therapist is assigned to help patients improve their level of functioning i.e. cognitive functioning, emotional and affective development, behavior social skills, and motor skills. Sound therapy also aids to reduce stress by replenishing brain energy. For example, classical music, sounds of birds, and sounds of waterfalls are given to patients to listen to on a daily basis to improve quality of life, reduce stress, or relieve depression.

Dr Tomatis discovered the ear is intended to hear mainly high frequency sounds because most of the sensory cells in the inner ear accumulate in the high frequency zone. It is the high frequency sounds that replenish the brain's energy and active the cortex, improving our ability to think. Low frequencies drain the brain, and, are around us every day. Low frequencies include; factories, traffic, household appliances, lights, and computers. High frequency sounds include the sounds of nature. Birds, forests, wind, ocean, and streams, just to name a few, are high frequency sounds and stimulate the ears releasing energy in the brain. Try this as a test, escape to nature for an hour or two and notice how calm and collected you are at the end of your meeting with nature. By reducing stress you will increase your energy and productivity.