Life can get crazy, and we're all bound to succumb to stress and anxiety sometimes. While I know it can be tempting to scream into your pillow and cry, practicing healthy coping strategies is the only surefire way to ensure genuine and lasting stress relief. If you continue to engage with these types of healthy techniques, they will eventually become habits and the stresses of everyday life might not seem so hard to deal with anymore. Check out my top 10 methods for stress relief:
1. Get Outside: Needless to say, being constrained to your desk all day is not healthy. Humans were not created to hole up all day in environments lacking stimulation; take some time every day to get outside and allow yourself some fresh air and vitamin D. Nature is beautiful and promotes creativity and relaxation that is essential to peace of mind.
2. Blast Some Music: Music Up, Stress Down. There is absolutely nothing better than blasting music that really makes you feel. Pick a genre, and sing and dance it out until you feel the stress melting away (Shameless Plug: Hit me up on Spotify @Gillian LaGorce for some fire playlists).
3. Confide in a Friend: When something is bothering you, it never helps to keep it all inside. If you let stress build up within you, it will eventually bubble over and become unbearable to deal with. Take time out of your day to reach out to a trusted friend or family member who you know will listen. The physical act of moving negative thoughts from your mind out through your mouth is incredibly powerful and cleansing for the soul.
4. Hug it Out: Really, who doesn't love hugs? Go hug your mom, your dog, a stranger (ok maybe don't do that)...you get the point though. Body contact is actually proven to relieve stress and promote health and wellbeing. If you're reading this and happen to know me in real life, I am always down for a hug if you need one.
5. Breathing Exercises: Take a moment every day to practice mindfulness and deep breathing. Life moves so quickly, and it is extremely valuable to practice living in the moment and appreciating the present. Definitely check out YouTube for some really awesome guided meditation videos. Life changing, trust me.
6. Aromatherapy: In my opinion, smell is a really underrated sense. Sure, it might not be as biologically necessary as seeing or hearing, but it is something that can be very powerful if utilized correctly. Treat yourself: light a nice candle or invest in some high-quality essential oils (I suggest lavender, chamomile, or eucalyptus for stress relief).
7. Journal: Like I mentioned in #3, the physical act of moving negative thoughts from your mind out into the world is incredibly powerful and cleansing for the soul. Grab a pen and just scribble out everything that is crowding your mind. There is nothing more therapeutic and wonderful!
8. Count Your Blessings: Humans can be pretty selfish. When we're in stress or panic mode, all we're thinking about is ourselves and how overwhelmed we feel. Take a moment to consider how lucky you are compared to others out in the world. Stressed about schoolwork? Consider how blessed you are to have the privilege of attending school. It really helps to put everything into perspective.
9. Exercise: Take your aggression and negative energy and channel it into a really good workout. Not only will the physical act of moving your body be a cathartic release, but the endorphins that are released post-workout will boost your mood and aid in relieving stress.
10. Understand That Stressing is 100% Okay: We've all been there. Remember that you can't appreciate the good in life without experiencing the bad. Keep your head up and practice healthy stress relief!
