Everyone deals with stress. Regardless of age, gender, or occupation there are always a forms of stress. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming or too daunting to try to deal with stress but that doesn’t always have to be the case. While it is important to see a doctor if stress is severely hindering your life there are little, simple ways to alleviate those emotions. Below are a few of the ways to destress your life.
Journaling is great for many reasons. You can work through whatever it is that has you stressed. You can also rant about whatever it is you’re stressing about. Sometimes putting all of your thoughts and worries down on paper make them easier to deal with. Plus the best part about journaling is that the words are completely your own and meant for your eyes. You don’t have to worry about mincing words about that coworker that adds to your stress and you don’t have to say anything you’re not ready to say yet. Journaling in a specific notebook is also important, don’t journal in a planner because planners are designed for productivity and journaling is meant for fun. You’ll be surprised how manageable things are once they’re on paper.
Similar to another way to alleviate stress on this list taking a walk is a simple way to destress. Anymore it can feel stifling and sometimes suffocating to always be inside so taking a walk can change that. It doesn’t have to be a long one or one that requires a lot of effort. You can just put on a comfortable pair of shoes and walk around the block a few times or even just once. Taking a walk will force you to focus on the walk itself and pry your mind away from whatever it was you were focussing on. If you’re at work you obviously can’t just get up and leave but even taking a walk to the bathroom or the breakroom will do you some good. Plus if you have a fur baby they will probably appreciate this.
If you’re a student, young professional, or both odds are you spend a lot of your time on the screen. Staring at a computer for hours isn’t just bad for your eyes and posture it can just lead to stress. Because everything is digital it can seem like the list of things to do is never over. Think of it like this, if you were stapling papers together eventually the pile would visually get smaller but on the computer a lot of the time you don’t get that satisfying view. That can lead to an overwhelming amount of stress and walking away from the screen is the best thing you can do. Looking at or reading the same thing over and over isn’t helping in fact it’s probably making it worse. Walking away for a bit will give you fresh eyes and a clear head when you come back.
Music truly makes the world go round. It doesn’t matter what kind of mood you’re in there’s a song for that. If you’re super stressed and want to cry, there’s a song for that. If your stress makes you want to punch a wall and scream there are songs for that. Whatever way your stress makes you feel you can find a tune to help you destress. Slower songs like classical music will help lower your heart rate which in turn lower your stress levels. Although you don’t have to listen to mellow music to ease your mind, you can easily put on any song you love and it will instantly destress your mind.
Stress eating is a very real thing and does nothing but add to troubled minds. When you’re stressed food doesn’t have to be your enemy though. Odds are if you’re stressed your immune system probably isn’t the best so it is important that you are eating well enough. Chocolate alone isn’t a balanced meal there’s nothing wrong with eating some dark chocolate. Chocolate contains flavonoids, which are typically found in vegetables and fruit. These plant metabolites trigger the release of dopamine in the brain, resulting in a happier you.
Now this doesn’t mean go on a thousand dollar shopping spree. Sometimes when people are dealing with stress they can exceed their means in an effort to combat their emotions and all that does is add to the stress. Instead of buying a lot or something expensive set aside twenty to thirty dollars and treat yourself to something nice. There are plenty of stores that offer great products for those prices. You could potentially buy a pair of shoes, a blouse, some makeup, or maybe even set that money aside for an upcoming vacation. While buying something doesn’t cure everything it can help with the load of stress you have. It’s a way to reward yourself from all of the work you’ve been doing.
Scents are either really good or really bad and if you’re looking to destress you’re going to want to have some nice aromatherapy. Places like Bath & Body Works frequently have sales where you can purchase upwards of six giant candles for under or around $50. The next time you’re out and about consider stopping at a store like that or even a locally owned body store that sells handmade candles. Scents like lavender are believed to reduce cortisol levels which in turn makes you less stressed out.
This might sound intimidating but it doesn’t have to be. You don’t have to be a great dancer to just use this as a way to alleviate some stress. Sometimes if you’re working on something for so long your body will become stiff and sore from the position. If that’s the case it’s important to get up and move! It doesn’t have to be a whole dance party either, just move your body and limbs to get the blood flowing and to help clear your mind a little.
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