Life gets stressful. Life gets nervous. Life gets scary. Life gets unpredictable. It's important to remember it's all normal and that eventually, everything will work out the way it's supposed to. In the meantime, it's important to keep calm and stay in control of your emotions. It's sometimes easier said than done, however these are a few easy ways you can soothe your stressed soul.
1. Stop what you're doing right now.
Literally, just stop and breathe. Close your eyes and take a big, deep breath. The feeling you get when you exhale is so relaxing; your heart feels lighter and you already feel significantly better. Do this 10 times if you want. This provides immediate stress relief to those fast hearts and busy minds.
2. Plans tonight? Ditch them.
You're going to watch the sunset at the beach. Can't tonight? Watch the sunrise in the morning. There's something so humbling about watching the sun rise and set on the ocean. Your problems suddenly seem so small and your worries seem to quickly wash away. It reminds you of all of the great things in your life you have to be grateful for- in particular: being alive to see this breathtaking view.
3. Blast your absolute favorite song in your car or house and sing it at the top of your lungs.
It's such a liberating feeling and allows you to exercise your right to just be free, exposed to the world, with no regret on how you look or feel doing it.
4. Go to the store, buy your favorite food, and indulge.
Our everyday lives can become too toxic too quickly and we can get caught up in the detrimental thoughts and situations. The best way to solve this problem is to spoil yourself and your body because you deserve it. You deserve it for waking up every morning and giving it your all. Go ahead, eat that ice cream. It's OK to do. It's important to enjoy something that will also allow you to take your mind off the things that make us most stressed.
5. Whatever is on your mind—a test, a teacher, an ex-boyfriend, a friend, whatever the case may be—let it all out.
Open up your notes on your phone or a plain word document on your computer and just vent. Let every bad word and terrible thought you have come out. There is no way to describe this feeling until you have actually done it because it really does help. But make sure you don't send it, of course. (Unless you want to cause more stress...)
I can guarantee that if you do one of these five things you will feel immediate relief. Always remember your sanity is more important than your vanity. It's OK to be selfish in times of self-nourishment.
