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Phew. What a year. What a week. I know we can all relate to feeling like this at one point or another. Stress is one of those things that can make you go into a downward spiral where everything goes wrong. The tricky part is–how do we handle that? I’ll tell you some things I do to get myself into full-on relaxation mode. Of course, everyone is different but I hope these tips can help someone out there.
1. Self care
Personally, I know that when I look good, I feel good. My favorite thing to do is to put on a face mask, deep condition my hair & throw on my favorite reality t.v. show. (Looking at you, Love Island) It’s also extremely important to take care of our bodies. Don’t forget to eat, stay hydrated, & get some sleep. If we’re run down, we’re not setting ourselves up for success.
2. Journaling
When we’re stressed, oftentimes our minds are juggling a million different thoughts at once. I find that writing all of these things down helps clear my head. Whether it be making a to-do list, or just pouring out your feelings– having it all on pen and paper (or on your phone- you do you!) will help clear your mind.
3. Get lost in a T.V. show or Movie
Sometimes, we just need a break. If time allows you to, I suggest watching your favorite show or movie. It’s the simple act of allowing your mind to get lost in another world for a bit. If there’s nothing that can be done about whatever’s stressing you, it doesn’t help to keep ruminating over the same issue. My go-to lately is reality T.V., it exists purely for entertainment and drama.
4. Play a game (Like Animal Crossing New Horizons!)
Video games, Board Games, Computer Games, solving a puzzle…whatever suits you! Playing task based games creates small achievable goals that help us feel in control. A reason why ACNH is so successful especially during the pandemic–according to Rami Ismail co-founder at Vlambeer (indie video game developer)
“First, it’s a game about you – it gives you full ownership of your island, along with ways to make it feel “yours” very quickly, and finally, a loose structure to play. In Animal Crossing, you decide the goals, you set the pace, you decide the priorities – and that’s how it’s meant to be played.”
Vries, Nino de. “We Got 5 Game Devs to Explain Why Animal Crossing Is so Damn Good.” The Next Web, 24 Mar. 2020, thenextweb.com/gaming/2020/03/24/we-got-5-game-devs-to-explain-why-animal-crossing-is-so-damn-good/.
5. Talk to someone you trust
Whether it be a family member, a therapist, or friend, finding someone to confide in can also help. Be mindful of “dumping” a practice where you’re unleashing your emotional distress unto another person. You should ask them if they have the time to talk/vent or have the mental capacity to listen at the moment. You never know what they may be going through personally & some people are less inclined to share with others, and that’s okay, too. Respecting boundaries is key.
I’ve also created some gift guides suitable for self-care, check ’em out here & here.
