Let’s face it. We make resolutions to live a more peaceful year and put our health at the forefront of our lives. Suddenly, it’s May, and you look up from your sad bowl of cereal and wonder where those promises went. Rather than trying to avoid stress entirely, come up with ways to combat and prepare for the anxiety that awaits you in 2017! Maybe, just maybe, that apprehension will morph into something wonderful. To get moving in the right direction, here are 10 ways to de-stress from your daily routine.
1. Bath Bombs
While taking a hot bath or shower is always a great solution to ridding yourself of the day, pamper yourself a little more by adding a bath bomb into the mix. There are many different varieties to choose from, in terms of color, scent, and aesthetic. Merely searching through the vast array of bath bombs is sure to put you at ease. However, for any Harry Potter nerds, save some time and just pick up these, bath bombs that dissolve into the color of your Hogwarts house. Sorting bath? Yes, I think so.
2. Sleep
This is an obvious one, but it’s always the one that we tend to push under the rug to finish work or that new Gilmore Girls revamp series we just can’t stop watching. While we all have to sacrifice a little beauty sleep from time to time, make sure that it doesn’t become a habit. Poor sleeping routines can lead to serious side effects down the line that the “one more chapter” (you know you’re lying, you will never stop) in your book doesn’t seem to be worth.
3. Write
If something’s stressing you and you’re not quite sure what to do, pull out a notebook and write it down. Writing without a filter for five minutes can be extremely therapeutic and can also resolidify the way you feel. By reading through what you wrote, you may be less confused about the problem because what you truly feel is lying before you in permanent ink. Don’t believe me? Check out this extended scientific explanation of what I just summarized.
4. Exercise
I know, I know. You can groan if you want. But exercise will prompt the release of endorphins in your brain, neurotransmitters that make you feel happy and clear-headed. The key here is to find an exercise that you really love to do. You don’t have to run three miles in the mountains each weekend just because your friends are. Things like playing Just Dance, chasing your dog, and practicing your runway walk, are simple and fun ways to stay active during the week.
5. Caffeine (But Not Too Much)
Caffeine is usually viewed through a negative scope, but in the right amount, it has been linked with decreased feelings of depression and anxiety. Taking the time out of the day to brew yourself a cup of coffee or tea can really turn your mood around because it forces you to sit down for a few minutes and relax. This is a quick and effective way to de-stress and take a break from your life for a bit, but it’s important not to abuse caffeine, as becoming addicted to it can lead to a whole different set of problems that you really don’t need.
6. Turn Off Your Phone
You’d be surprised at how much you absentmindedly stress-scroll through your phone, looking for any notification to pop up to steal you away from your current anxieties. By putting your phone on the Do Not Disturb setting and leaving it in a different room, you’ll be less tempted to go on social media, which is proven to make you inadequate after only minutes of scrolling. Focus on the task in front of you and get it done. Trust me, the best stress reliever is completed work.
7. Jam to Throwback Music
After a long day, there’s nothing that could make you happier than hearing that High School Musical, One Direction, or *NSYNC song you haven’t heard in years. You’ll remember more than the lyrics, but how nice and good the times were when you last listened to it. A ten-minute jam session is just enough to take the edge off of your day and you’ll find yourself “soaring, flying” through the rest of your week. Here’s a link to the Billboard Top 100 from 2008. Feel free to cry.
8. DIY Facial
There is a myriad of YouTube videos depicting how you can create your own facial mixture with ingredients you already have in your pantry. Both watching the videos and creating your facial concoction will provide you with something to focus on and take your mind off of other thoughts that may get in the way of relaxation. You will feel rejuvenated and ready to take on whichever challenges are thrown at you next.
9. Sit Outside
De-stressing this season can be just as simple as changing your location. You can sit outside in your front or backyard, or you can even take a mini-trip to your local park to fully immerse yourself in nature. A change of scenery will leave you free to breathe in the fresh air and will get you out of your home, where you’re accustomed to feeling stressed and are therefore more likely to be so. Try buying some flowers or succulents to remind you to get outdoors from time to time.
10. Talk it Out
As always, venting to someone is the best way to get excess stress out of your system. Setting up a weekly meeting with a close friend or relative can be a great method to sort out your troubles and relate to someone who has to deal with some of the same things as you. You’ll end up less stressed, much closer to your friend, and more focused on the things you wish to achieve. Plus, it’s a pretty fun excuse to go eat aesthetically-pleasing foods.
Do you have any additional tips to dealing with stress this year? Drop a comment below noting how you beat stress to help everyone else out!
