You are not alone if you are feeling under an abundance of stress lately. Between the ongoing pandemic and all of the hassles of modern life, nearly everyone is experiencing some level of stress. How you react to this stress will have a significant impact on your overall mental wellness. Here are seven activities that you can try in times of stress to help yourself to relax.
Journal Your Thoughts
Sometimes the simple act of putting your thoughts on paper can help to relax your mind and body. You can go the old-fashioned way with a notebook or just jot down notes on your phone. Do not focus on spelling or other punctuation issues. The goal is to relieve stress by taking the stressful thoughts and transferring them from your brain to somewhere else. Some people find great relief in writing down their worries before trying to go to sleep so that they do not obsess over them through the night.
Listen to Music
Music can be a powerful tool in your arsenal to relieve stress. Try putting on some soothing music if you are feeling particularly stressed out. Or it might be that upbeat music is what calms you the most. It is recommended to practice listening to a few different types of music to determine what genre works best at bringing you calm and mitigating the harmful effects of excessive stress.
Try Meditating
Mindful meditation is another great way to get your mind off of the things that are causing you stress. The key is to focus your attention on what is happening in this present moment. Pay close attention to your body as you meditate. For instance, is your breathing fast and shallow or is it slow and deep?
The goal is to note what is going on around you so that you can be more in the present without stressing over the future. If you are new to the world of meditation, you will find the services of a Vedic Meditation teacher helpful in guiding your efforts so that you are able to reach that state of zen.
Work it Out
While it may seem counter-intuitive, moving the body and working up a sweat can actually relax you. The feel-good endorphins that are released when you exercise can be extremely beneficial when looking to mitigate the effects of stress. Working out your body has benefits both physically and mentally.
You do not have to run an hour to see these stress-boosting benefits. Even a short walk around the block can help to relieve stress and make you feel more optimistic about life.
Spend Time Outdoors
One of the best ways to unwind is to be purposeful about spending time outdoors. Connecting with Mother Nature will put your mind at ease as you breathe in the fresh air and feel the sunshine on your face.
If you cannot get outside, a good substitute is to look at pictures of nature or surround your indoor space with plants or flowers. Even listening to nature sounds can produce a similar calming effect.
Read a Book
Escaping with a book is one of the best ways to unwind and relax. The act of reading will naturally calm your mind and help you to feel more balanced. Find a quiet place to read your book where you will not be tempted by other distractions. You can add to this effect even further by making yourself a warm glass of calming tea to sip while you get lost in another world for a bit.
Spend Time With Loved Ones
For some of the most extroverted people, they find wellness in spending time with others. If you know that you find balance and peace with your loved ones, it is good practice to get regularly scheduled dates on the calendar with friends and family. A weekly coffee date with a good friend or a date night out with your partner can give you something to look forward to, helping to reduce stress levels when they escalate.
These seven activities will naturally put your body and mind at ease. This will help to alleviate stress and improve your well-being in the process.
