7 Ways to Destress

Getting your life together isn’t easy. It’s easy to feel unmotivated, unproductive, and so on. With all the stresses of life coming together, it’s easy to feel stressed out or anxious.

Lately I’ve felt stressed. From juggling work, my family, my relationships, and even the idea of starting to write online, I’ve had some negative feelings. I found myself constantly running around and not really taking time for myself to relax because I was always doing this or that. My workout routine started falling apart and my “healthier eating” diet started becoming a thing of the past. I felt very anxious even on a “good” day.

It’s easy to fall into these feelings of anxiety and stress. So, I recognized that I was stressed and anxious, and I decided to take control. I realized that I needed to find a way to calm myself down and feel more at ease in my day to day life!

Journaling

I was hanging out with a friend recently and she brought up journaling. When I was younger, I kept a journal but I wasn’t consistent. I’d write when I was frustrated about something and wouldn’t touch it for months or until I got frustrated again. Now, I’m trying to make journaling a habit. I prefer writing in the evening, after I’ve done all I needed to, so I can end my day on a more positive note. Journaling is a good way for me to destress and get any negative feelings off of my chest. Sometimes I use journaling prompts and other times I just start writing whatever comes to mind. I enjoy writing, so journaling helps me stay creative and improve my writing.

Take a bath

Living in New York City, I know that not everyone has this luxury, but if you can, I’d recommend taking a bath (or maybe borrowing someone else’s!). Taking a bath always helps me feel less stressed after a hard day. It helps me to relieve stress more than just taking a shower. You can add bubbles, a bath bomb or just lay back a little and take a few minutes to relax. Put together a list of your favorite songs, maybe read a few pages from your current read, or just sit in silence; whatever you prefer!

Use a face mask

It may not seem like a big deal, but I enjoy using sheet masks at night. I like wearing them and watching one of my shows or reading until it’s time to take it off. Having clean, moisturized skin always makes me feel better, especially if my skin’s been suffering. This is a great way to boost your skincare routine. Trust me, your skin will definitely thank you later!

Talk to a close friend

Venting is always a good way to get things off your chest. You’d be surprised at how much relief you might feel after venting about whatever is stressing you out. I talk to my best friend from college on days I’m feeling stressed. I’ll vent to her about the things that are bothering me. Sometimes expressing your feelings out loud can help you feel more at ease. Talk to a friend that provides a safe space for you to vent, without judgment.

Paint your nails at home

Painting my nails is another way I boost my mood. It’s a nice way to have some “me” time. It’s a way for me to wind down and relax. Turn on your favorite music, catch up on your favorite shows. Just be careful not to mess up the polish with any sudden movements!

Listen to instrumental music before falling asleep.

When I was younger, I used to listen to rain and ocean sounds before I fell asleep. I slept like a baby every time I listened to it. Recently, I started listening to music like it again. I just choose a playlist, put my bluetooth speaker on my nightstand and drift off to sleep. I usually feel more relaxed as I’m falling asleep and when I wake up the next morning.

Take some deep breaths

When I’m feeling especially anxious, I take a few minutes out of my day to take some deep breaths to calm myself down. What’s nice about this is that it can be done anywhere, anytime. You can do it in the car, on the train, at your desk, and so on. This can be useful at times when you feel overwhelmed.

In conclusion...

Managing stress is something that needs to be constant to lead a healthy lifestyle. It’s not something you should do only when you’re drowning in stress. Everyone is different, and because of this, it’s a good idea to take notice of the things that stress you out and the things that relieve your stress. Once you get an idea, incorporate those activities into your lifestyle as often as you need to.

It’s easy to lose sight of things when you’re stressed out. You get cranky and irritable. You feel unmotivated and uninspired. But don’t forget about the things that make you happy. Don’t forget that this life is yours and the first step to getting your life together is to put yourself in control!

Lots of Love,

Ah.