Stress Management
" Give your stress wings and let it fly away"
Hi Friend!
Well this is the big whammy. Stress is a giant balloon of worries that takes up all the space in our minds. It can be annoying, distracting, and hard to deal with. I think we can all agree that stress is a negative occupant in our lives, yet it never ceases to amaze me how often to normalize its presence.
Before we dive right in, let’s all get on the same page by starting from the very beginning. What actually is stress? Most people probably have a pretty good grasp on what it is, but I want it written out, plain and simple. Stress has numerous definitions and is actually an incredibly complex and subjective term. However, the dictionary defines it as: a form of mental strain caused from opposing, hostile, or challenging situations No matter how you slice it, stress is almost always detrimental to mental health, and can cause serious problems, including anger, fatigue, anxiety, and long term health problems.
What are the main reasons for stress?
No exercise
No sunlight
Garbage food
No meditation
Procrastination
Poor sleep habits
No passion/hobbies
Too much social media
Poor time management
Disconnected from yourself
Effective stress management can help reduce feelings of anxiety, improve sleep quality, boost your mood, and enhance overall well-being. If you are looking for some simple yet effective ways to reduce stress, this post is going to be a perfect read for you.
I am always on the lookout for ways to reduce stress. Despite having a routine centered around wellness, personally, my mind is prone to worrying, overthinking, and hustling. That’s why I make sure to pamper myself through stress-busting activities that are easy and convenient to indulge in.
Here are some stress management techniques to consider:
Take a long bath: Excessive contemplation and impatience with life are significant causes of stress. It's critical to slow down your thinking and move away from a "hustle mindset" when attempting to reduce stress. This can happen magically with a soothing bath. Here are some tips to make the most out of bath time: turn on calm music; use nice smelling soap; light a scented candle; and Moisturize your body afterwards.
Watch a TV show or a movie: While it may not be everyone's notion of stress relaxation, for me, it works like magic when it comes to relieving tension. Narratives serve as excellent prompts to remember that life is about more than just busy schedules and overstuffed minds. Getting lost in a new fandom is a fantastic way to decompress. If you think this sounds like fun, get a bucket of popcorn and go in front of the TV. Watch an episode of your favorite sitcom or new series on Netflix, watch a movie in your preferred genre, or binge-watch an entire season of a hit TV program. In case you were wondering, a cute romance movie or some reality Tv always works for me.
Mindfulness and Relaxation
Meditation: Practice mindfulness meditation to calm your mind and reduce stress. There are lots of free apps that have built in meditations at just the click of a button
Deep breathing exercises: Engage in deep breathing techniques to lower stress and improve focus. There are lots of free apps that have built inbreath exercises at just the click of a button
Yoga or Pilates: These practices offer physical and mental benefits, improving flexibility and reducing anxiety.
Grab A Cup Of Tea: Tea actually lowers the level of cortisol, which results in stress relief. Sipping green tea is one of the most heavenly ways to reduce stress. It has antioxidant power that rejuvenates body cells. Plus, its natural smell would be heavenly for your tired brain cells.
Physical Health
Regular exercise: Engage in activities you enjoy, like walking, running, swimming, or dancing. Exercise is a great way to release anxious, nervous, or built up energy. The last thing you might want to do when your mind is racing with meaningless ideas is work out. However, it's among the quickest and healthiest methods of stress relief. Stress is reduced by exercise because it raises endorphins and decreases stress chemicals like cortisol. It necessitates total awareness, focus, and present-moment presence, which leads to a much-needed mental declutter.
Balanced diet: Eat nutritious foods to fuel your body and mind.
Sufficient sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
Social and Emotional Well-being
Spend time with loved ones: Connect with friends and family to strengthen relationships.
Pursue hobbies: Engage in activities you enjoy to boost your mood and sense of fulfillment. It's simple to forget about your favorite activities while you're stressed out. When you’re under stress, it can be easy to forget about what you enjoy doing the most. Connecting with a hobby is the most fun way to remove stress from your mind. It helps you be creative, and spend some quality me-time while being yourself. So, pick up an old forgotten hobby, or create a new one. Learn an instrument, try knitting, or do some painting. Whatever you choose to do, have loads of fun with it. Stress will be the last thing on your mind afterward.
Limit screen time: Reduce exposure to electronic devices to promote better sleep and mental health.
Seek support: Talk to a friend, family member, therapist, or coach about your feelings.
Read A Book: Reading helps you escape to another world, and find yourself through the words of another person written in a different time. If there’s a book you’ve been meaning to read, do it now. It’ll help you occupy your mind with better and brighter things.
Spiritual Growth
Practice GRADITUDE: Focus on the positive aspects of your life. Write a daily graditude list and share with friends if comfortable.
Spend time in nature: Connect with the natural world to find peace and tranquility by spending time in nature. I have a saying that I believe in wholeheartedly: Nature is the best healer.
A few minutes out in the fresh air can lift you mood, make you more mindful, and teach you the art of slow living.
Here are the ways you can relieve stress in nature:
Head outside for a long walk in an area filled with trees.
Organize a trip to the nearest hiking point. Go with your friends, or be like me and make it a solo date.
Deepen your connection to the earth through gardening.
Sit under the cool shade of a tree.
Visit a garden, and touch the flowers with utmost mindfulness.
Watch the sky in daylight, or do some star-gazing at night.
And always, always remember: Nature is the best of everything.
Engage in spiritual practices: Explore activities like prayer, devotionals, meditation, or reading inspirational texts.
Positive Affirmations for Stress-Relief: Here are some sparkly, positive affirmations to help kickstart your process of stress relief. Take a deep breath, and speak out loud:
I am in charge of every single thought I have.
At this moment, I have complete power over my mind.
I choose positivity.
I choose to listen to myself over the noise from the world.
I can, and will, take life one day at a time.
I choose happiness.
I am bigger than my circumstances.
I am stronger than I seem.
No matter what happens, I will be OK.
I allow myself to let go of things I cannot control.
Unique Stress Management Techniques
Creative Outlets
Journaling: Expressing your thoughts and feelings on paper can help reduce stress and promote self-awareness. Using the power of reflection, journaling is a profound hobby that helps you heal your troubles and connect with the deepest parts of yourself.
I've become more psychologically tough since I began journaling. It's a fantastic method, in my opinion, to improve your good emotions, let go of your negative ideas, and discover self-love.
Make an effort to write in your journal each day. It helps you declutter and think about the things that really matter in life. Pour your heart out on the pages of your journal. Write about what's bothering you, what's on your mind for the future, and let go of the past. This practice will enhance your well-being, foster personal development, and ultimately lessen stress.Art therapy: Engaging in creative activities like painting, drawing, or sculpting can be a relaxing and therapeutic outlet.
Music therapy: Listening to or playing music can have a calming effect on the mind and body.
Nature-Based Activities
Forest bathing: Spending time in nature, particularly forests, has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood.
Gardening: Gardening can be a therapeutic and grounding activity.
Hydrotherapy: Taking a warm bath or shower can help relax muscles and reduce stress.
Unusual Approaches
Laughter therapy: Participating in laughter exercises or watching funny videos can be a great way to reduce stress.
Animal therapy: Interacting with animals, such as pets or therapy animals, can have a calming effect.
Mindfulness eating: Paying attention to your senses while eating can help reduce stress and improve digestion.
Remember to find techniques that resonate with you and incorporate them into your daily routine. Experiment with different approaches to discover what works best for your stress management needs.
What stress management technique can you utilize today?
XO Jenna
