As Twenty One Pilots often reminds me in their hit song "Stressed out", I "Wish we could turn back time, to the good old days. When our momma sang us to sleep but now we're stressed out." I often wish I weren't so stressed; although I can't get rid of stress completely, there are so many ways to reduce stress, and I've listed 10 of my favorites below!
1. Pray. One of my favorite things to do when I'm stressed is to give my worries to the Creator. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us "Cast all your worries upon him, because he cares for you."
2. Art. Whether it is painting, drawing, or coloring, it helps to let your creativity flourish.
3. Read a book. Instead of reading your textbook, read a book for fun for an hour. You'll notice yourself getting immersed in the world of literature, and you'll forget your stress for just a little bit.
4. Listen to Music. There is just something so calming about listening to your favorite music when you're stressed. Whether it is pop, Christian Rock, or piano, music can be very effective in relieving stress.
5. Watch a TV show. I'm not saying you should avoid your problems by binge watching Netflix, but sometimes you need to just watch one episode to get your mind off of the stress. (IMPORTANT: Decide what time you will begin and end watching; Netflix tends to suck you in completely once it says "playing next episode in 15..")
6. Take a Nap. Sometimes you just need to give your brain a break for a little bit. A small nap won't hurt, and it will most likely help a lot.
7. Talk to a friend or family member. Talking to my parents or my sisters or my friends always helps when I'm feeling defeated by the stress.
8. Workout. Running off the stress can make you feel much better.
9. Indulge. I'm not saying to stress eat, but sometimes you just need to eat that ice cream or chocolate chip cookie.
10. Conquer your fears. The best way to relieve the stress you're feeling due to an upcoming deadline is to just get it done!
