Cutting out stress whenever possible is always a good idea.

Letting go of self-defeating habits, such asengaging in self-sabotage, is another important strategy.

Here we explore how to get rid of negativity and stress with proven strategies for reducing both.

Thoughtful man with hands behind his head

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Butgrudges can harm us mentallyand physically, making forgiveness an important step to releasing negativity.

Otherhidden costs of clutterinclude stifling the creation of one’s inner self and reducing mental well-being.

Get rid of things that aren’t needed and find a place for everything else.

Interior Of Modern Living Room

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In this case, creating a clutter-free room we can go to where we feel truly relaxed is helpful.

In the same vein, some people begrudge others' successes.

One way to turn this around is to learn to recognizenegative thinking patternsandcognitive distortions, and then change them.

Senior woman standing in snowy landscape, looking up

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Sometimes it isfamily and friends who are energy drains, reducing our emotional energy when we interact with them.

So, the first step to reducing them is to become aware that they exist in the first place.

This requires taking a moment to think about what (or who) drains our energy and patience.

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This might include setting boundaries, building trust, or communicating without judgment.

If that doesn’t work, learning when and how to let go may be necessary.

Not all relationships can be improved, making it important to walk away toprotect one’s own mental health.

Woman frustrated at lazy roommate using digital tablet on sofa

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It’s also important to recognize our progress along the way.

Individuals who are struggling to let go of negativity may benefit from professional help.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Forgiveness: Your health depends on it.