Most of us, especially during a pandemic, experience increased stress and anxiety. I feel it too. Sometimes these feelings can be overwhelming, making it seem like there’s no end in sight. But don’t worry, this will pass! In the meantime, I want to share some tips and tricks on managing stress, depression, pessimism, anxiety, and other hardships.
It’s crucial, especially during tough times, to find simple ways to re-center and ground ourselves. I hope you find these stress relief tips helpful!
I love journaling. It’s a safe space to express yourself without censorship and can lead to valuable self-discovery and growth. Particularly, I’m a fan of gratitude journaling. There are many ways to practice it and plenty of gratitude journals available. Essentially, it’s about writing positive things about yourself and your life. This helps you focus on the good instead of dwelling on negativity.
I make it a habit to write down positive things daily. When challenges come, I look back at my positive list to remind myself that life isn’t all bad and there’s a lot to smile about. This practice helps balance the good and the bad.
At the end of my fitness classes and training sessions, I often lead a meditation where clients recall three positive things that happened that day. This helps them remember these positive moments later when life gets stressful. Proactive positivity can truly help re-center individuals.
I’m really into scents and aromas. I found an amazing collection of candles from Little Shop Oils, each designed for a different purpose like good luck, healing, love, and new beginnings. I light these candles while journaling based on what I feel I need. The scents instantly calm me. I also use an essential oil humidifier for its calming effects.
We all have senses we’re more sensitive to. For me, touch and sound help reduce stress. The sensation of cold helps calm me down; I run my hands under cold water or hold an ice pack when stressed. For sound, I listen to my favorite uplifting songs. Creating an anti-stress playlist when you’re feeling good can be really helpful for times when you’re not.
Knowing what works best for you requires self-reflection and some trial and error. Managing stress can feel like playing whack-a-mole, but keep trying and you’ll find something that helps.
Sometimes a change of scenery is needed when we’re overwhelmed. Taking a walk or moving to a different room can instantly reduce stress. Especially with many of us spending more time indoors, I highly recommend scheduling regular daily or weekly walks, bike rides, hikes, or time in a park. It’s good for both mind and body!
One classic stress relief tip is focusing on your breathing. Stress often makes us breathe quickly and shallowly, depriving our bodies of enough oxygen, which doesn’t help our mental state. To reduce stress, breathe deeply and firmly from your diaphragm. Place one hand on your belly, sit tall, and use your breath to push your hand away. Breathe deeply, slowly, and steadily. This practice, called diaphragmatic breathing, helps re-calibrate the mind and reduce anxiety. Practicing it for 1-2 minutes daily can make it easier to use when anxiety hits. Slowing your breath slows your mind, reducing negative emotions.
In our digital world, we’re glued to screens more than ever. To feel less overwhelmed, limit or cut out screen time for 1-2 hours before bed. Put away social media, emails, and texts, and let people know about your new routine. It’ll make a difference. If that’s too hard, try for at least 30 minutes before bed or find 15-30 minutes during the day to unplug.
I hope reading these stress relief tips has already provided some relief. Remember, you’re not alone. Managing stress is a lifelong mission for everyone, including me. Be good to yourself, practice self-care, rest when needed, and know when to challenge yourself healthily. Trust your gut and intuition. Stay healthy and safe! Thanks for reading and stay tuned!