"Stress." We've all heard the word, and we've all encountered it at some point in our lives. Depending on how you look at it, stress can either be good or bad. From my perspective, I also have a form of anxiety that makes stress a little more difficult to deal with at times. Over the past year or so, I've managed to keep it to a relatively acceptable level. I'd like to share with you how I personally deal with it on a day-to-day basis.
1. Take a breather.
It's easy to get caught up in too many activities all at once, and I can definitely own up to that. With my mind going a mile a minute, it's hard to find a moment to just stop and smell the roses. Just taking a few minutes to breathe deeply will really calm you down.
2. Watch a funny movie or TV show.
When you feel yourself starting to get anxious or stressed, distract yourself with laughter. It's a great mood-booster, because it releases endorphins into your brain.
3. Meditate.
Meditation can come in lots of forms, like full guided exercises to just sitting with your eyes closed and breathing deeply. It not only allows you to stay calm in stressful situations, but it also helps you to focus on various tasks.
4. Read a good book.
Or in my case, re-read a good book. No matter what your favorite genre is, reading allows you to escape reality for a few hours and dive into a different world.
5. Listen to music.
Just like books, music can carry you into a different world. No matter how anxious I feel, I always find time to listen to my favorite songs to get me out of that slump.
6. Journal.
Writing your feelings out is a very cathartic way to relieve stress. If you have struggles getting into journaling, there are lots of "prompter" journals for sale out there that help you convey your thoughts.
7. Exercise.
It boosts endorphins, like laughter does. And I'm going to be that nagging mother-type for a quick second to say it also helps you stay healthy. I mean, the nagging purely from the heart.
8. Get a Himalayan salt lamp.
It may sound weird, but Himalayan salt is known to be a negative ionizer, meaning it reduces the amount of ions in the air that are due to electromagnetic radiation. Salt lamps help improve your mood and concentration, and they also provide a boost of serotonin.
9. Surround yourself with positive people.
Building a support network is key to maintaining a less stressful life. Seriously, having people who care about you is so important when you're dealing with things.
