Everyone gets stressed and feels lost and out of control. Yet there is nothing more stressful than not knowing how to cope with it. That is why I wrote this article for you. Read through this list and try one of these next time you feel overwhelmed.
1. Prepare for your morning, the night before
Taking the time to shorten your morning routine makes things go much faster.
2. Animals
Whether you're looking at pictures or physically petting any kind of animal, it is a very relieving feeling.
3. Simplify meal times
When you take longer to eat, you are taking up more time. Shortening your meal times gives you plenty of opportunities to get other activities done.
4. Look for a silver lining
There is something good to everything you do in life, even if you have to search for it.
5. Set goals for yourself
Even the smallest goals can help you stay positive.
6. Focus on breathing slowly
When you focus on your breathing, most everything else will disappear from your mind and soon enough you will have less stress hanging on your shoulders.
7. Read a poem
Choose an inspiring poem to calm your worries.
8. Stop a bad habit
If you chew on your nails, focus on not chewing them. You can kill two birds with one stone by stopping a bad habit and focusing on something else.
9. Try something new
This could be literally anything you think of. Go try it.
10. Reach out for support from your friends and family
There will always be someone in your life that is there for you. Maybe friends aren't the best way for you, then choose a family member. Not the biggest fan of your family? Turn to your friends.
11. Find a healthy snack to munch on
Tiny vegetables are perfect options to take even tinier bites out of.
12. Smile
Just by smiling, you can increase the positivity in your life.
13. Stretch, or learn how to meditate.
Meditation can take time and skill and if you don't have either of them, go for the easy route and stretch.
14. Come up with a plan "B"
There is nothing wrong with figuring out a different way to go about things, as long as you aren't completely giving up.
15. Start it now
Stop procrastinating. You may be busy at the current moment, but plan your life out so you know exactly when you can start.
16. Exercise
Exercising can do wonders for your body, physically and mentally.
17. Memorize a joke
Memorize it and then repeat it back to you. How can you not laugh? And now you have a perfect go to joke whenever someone needs one.
18. Learn origami
Once you learn origami, you can do it at any point. You don't need special paper. Just rip a random piece out of your notebook during class and start folding.
19. Put on your favorite pair of sweatpants
There is nothing more comfortable than sweatpants and they are also extremely comforting.
20. Watch your favorite movie
Once you curl up in bed or in your favorite hang out spot and turn it on, it won't take long for you to enjoy yourself.
21. Keep a journal
A journal is a perfect place to keep track of everything on this list. Sometimes you need to vent, which is perfect for a journal. Other times, you can talk about the good things that have happened to you.
22. Take a nap
There's nothing better for you than getting some extra rest. If you're a busy person and don't have much time to sleep, you probably deserve it.
23. Color a picture
Don't choose one of those complicated coloring books. Buy one of the simplest children's coloring books or a color by number coloring book and focus on coloring in the lines.
24. Say "no" more often
You are not forced to do every single task you're asked to do. Take a break every once in a while.
25. Focus on what you can control
Sometimes life seems out of control, and sometimes it is. Just focus on the things you can control in the moment and life will seem so much better.
26. Take a shower
Make it hot and let the water open you up and calm you down.
27. Evaluate your priorities
That thing you need to do by the end of the day? Do it now. That thing you need to do by the end of the week? Start it when you're done.
28. Start a new hobby
Try not to make it complicated, just something you can enjoy every so often.
29. Light a candle
You can focus on the sight of the flame and the way it moves to calm you down, or you can choose to focus on the smell.
30. Buy some flowers
Flowers are super pleasing for the eyes, and even pleasing to smell.
31. Listen to music
Music can really do wonders for your soul. Choose any genre of your choice and listen away.
32. Sit in nature
Gaze around at how beautiful the world is and just take in the fact that you're not alone.
33. Rest your legs up on a wall
Not every relaxing position needs to be a yoga pose or a part of meditation.
34. Drink some tea
There are so many flavors to choose from, you are bound to enjoy at least one.
35. Lather up in that stress relief lotion
Bath and Body Works makes the lotion for that specific reason. Invest your money in a small bottle and use it whenever you need to.
36. Go to a farmer's market
Buy some local fruit/vegetables and enjoy a healthy snack.
37. Eat some soup
Chicken noodle soup makes you feel better when you're sick physically, why can't it help you mentally?
38. Find a doodle that you're good at
When you're in class and stressing out, pick something simple to doodle and do it repeatedly until you have it perfected.
39. Apply a face mask
When it comes to face masks, the rule Treat Yo-Self always applies.
40. Think about things in a different perspective
Sure, what you're doing may seem overwhelming. Think about it as if you were an outsider. Doesn't seem as difficult now, does it?
41. Count to 100
Doesn't have to be 100. Just choose one. It could be 1,000 or even 10.
42. Sit in the sun
The sun does wonders.
43. Paint your nails
Choose your favorite color and begin painting.
44. Cook your favorite dessert
Everyone needs a little bit of dessert every once in a while. Take the time to relax and bake it. (Just don't binge eat it all, save some for later.)
45. Go for a drive and blast your favorite music
There is nothing more calming than driving down the road, watching the scenery go by as you sing along to your favorite song.
46. Listen to ocean waves
They are one of the most calming sounds ever, you should try it out.
47. Take selfies with Snapchat filters
Are you trying to tell me that the dog filter doesn't cheer you up? There are even funnier ones that you should play around with.
48. Play a board game
Board games require people, so if you're not feeling that, grab a deck of cards and start playing solitaire.
49. Explore to find out what works best to help you relieve stress
For me, I choose to explore my 5 senses. I start off with sight and list 5 things I can directly see. Then 4 things I can hear, 3 things I can touch, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. This helps me focus on my surrounding and take a break from the overwhelming thought of the world.
50. Relax and remember that everything will be OK
You're not alone in the world. Even if you may feel it, just remember that I wrote this article for you. You will be fine.