Feeling stressed out lately? Stuck in a funk? With all of the chaos going on in the world, the rising cost of living and just LIFE in general, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Don’t worry, you’re not in this alone!
In this day and age stress can come to us in any shape and form in our day to day lives. Maybe you’ve been dealing with workplace stress or maybe you don’t know what steps to get back on your feet again after being let go from your job. Perhaps you are struggling to make ends meet, and in turn spreading yourself too thin. Whatever the case may be, one thing I know for certain is that you won’t be stuck here forever. Mental health is just as important as physical health so make sure you are taking care of yourself inside and out!
I’ve come up with some of my own tips and tricks to help you out and get a kick start on living a more stress-free life:
1. Relax
Seriously, relax. Remind yourself that this situation is temporary and whatever you’re going through at this exact moment will pass. If you’re at a low point in your life, just know that it can only get better from here. Which leads me to #2.
2. Positive Vibes Only
Drop the negativity from your life. Negative thoughts, negative people… drop em’. Get away from situations and relationships that bring you down. Surround yourself with people who love and care for you, and those who only want to see you succeed. And it doesn’t always have to be people either, surrounding yourself with positive things is just as important. Whether it be reading daily motivational blogs, or a picking up a self-help book, heck even getting a pet! Studies have shown that having a pet can improve mental health and positively impact people suffering from anxiety and depression. So if dogs make you happy then surround yourself with dogs. Seriously. Just as long as it’s something that makes you feel good. Think happy thoughts!
3. Experiment with Essential Oils
In addition to surrounding myself with positivity, I’ve also incorporated essential oils into my daily regimen. Essential oils have amazing healing properties and the best part is that they are all natural! Oils like lavender, have a calming effect that relax the nervous system, improve your mood, and aid in sleep. Here is a list of some other amazing relaxing oils:
4. Find a Hobby
It may seem crazy to add in another activity if you’re already spread too thin, but finding a hobby that you actually enjoy can be a huge stress reliever. Take up a new sport, find a fun DIY project to do or even learn a new language! Keeping yourself busy with a fun new hobby will not only boost your mood but also give you a creative outlet and a break from your day to day routine.
5. Get Active
Another one of my favorite stress-relievers is exercise. Who knew being drenched in sweat could be so relaxing! Working out regularly not only keeps you physically healthy, but helps release tension, emotional energy and helps clear your mind. When we get stressed we tend to have low energy and no motivation, but seriously getting up and getting active is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
6. Eat Your Greens
Not only can stress make you want to crawl into bed and forget what you’re going through, it can also make you turn to comfort food. I’m sure we’ve all had those binge-watch-movies-while-eating-a-pint-of-ice-cream kind of nights (which is totally OK too, btw). But keeping up with a healthy diet is going to give you that extra boost that you need. Incorporating more greens and less junk, will have you thinking clearer, strengthen your immune system, and keep your energy levels up throughout the day.
7. Go “Offline”
We live in a very technology-driven society, so detaching from the cyber world can be a hard habit to break. But trust me, you won’t regret taking even just an hour a day away from technology! Instead of scrolling through Instagram or watching the not-so-pleasant News, read book or grab a coloring book (seriously, I have my own adult coloring books, and you can buy them Amazon!) or go for a stroll through your neighborhood. Another great offline activity and stress-relieving technique is meditation. You don’t need anything fancy, just a quiet space where you can focus on your breathing and fall get away from the world for a little while!
8. Catch Some Zzz’s
You’ve probably heard you should get at least 8 hours of sleep every night, and I’m here to tell you that you should. Trust me, I am a cranky hot mess if I don’t get my 8 hours. A good night’s sleep will set the tone for the next day so that you wake up feeling good and not feeling rushed, which only adds to your stress levels.
Takeaway
In all, these 8 tips have helped me reduce my stress levels and become a much happier and a more positive person all around. I hope they help you become a more positive, less stressed you! Let me know if these tips helped you and feel free to share your own stress-relievers with me too. See also my Being the Best You in 2017 blog for even more inspiration!
