Have you ever had one of those days when you wake up thinking about every single thing you have to do on your seemingly never ending to do list? Have you gone to work where the to do list there seems to be getting longer by the minute and there are a million things that need to be done that day but there just aren’t enough hours? And finally you end up rage-crying (it’s a thing!) for 15 minutes at home that evening, taking out all that frustration on the person closest to you…it happens and it’s happened. I know all too well about feeling like there are a ton of bricks on your chest. Feeling stuck and hopeless and hating your life or your situation so much that you know you need to make positive changes but have zero energy to actually accomplish anything is something that I have experienced on a few occasions and it is the worst feeling in the world. It’s hard to be grateful and enjoy the good things in your life when you’re harboring stress and tension constantly.

Severe stress is not good for us. Your blood pressure rises, your pulse quickens, your immune system becomes less effective, your metabolism slows and that isn’t even half of the havoc stress can wreak on our bodies. I have gotten the chest pains and the headaches and have chewed my poor fingernails down to the nail beds. I realize that it can be difficult to pull yourself out of that negative mind set. I’ve been there and know how lost a person can feel when they don’t feel like things can get better. I decided a long time ago to try and develop some habits for myself to try and relieve some of that stress and to give myself a chance to recharge my batteries. Sometimes it just takes a little alone time to help you relax. Here are some things I do to combat those negative feelings.

Exercise

Sometimes a sweat session is all it takes to release a whole bunch of tension your body is harboring. For me, going for a run or a walk is the best way to release that junk I hold onto throughout the day. I am alone with my thoughts and am able to work through them as I am running or if I am walking with someone I can use them as a sounding board. Some people like to do yoga which is also a great way to help you relax and just focus on being in the moment and breathing. Whatever it is that you like to do, do it! Take some time for yourself and go to the gym or outside for a walk or do an exercise video at home.

Pamper Night

If I have had a particularly stressful day or week I like to take an evening and just pamper myself. I take a relaxing bath, I wear a mask, I paint my nails, I listen to soothing music or get some reading done. It’s one of the best ways I know to recharge my batteries. I get that quiet alone time and can truly relax. It can be hard sometimes to turn your brain off when it feels like it’s running a mile a minute but I urge you to try and let go and just be in the moment. You’ll thank me later!

Breathe/Meditate

This is something that you can do at work or wherever you are. Basically just take like a minute or 30 seconds and take slow deep breaths and focus on those breaths. Go out to your car at lunch and sit in silence for 5 minutes and gather your thoughts. I used to take walks where all I would do is breath in and out slowly before going back and facing the tasks at hand head on. There are also apps you can download on your phone for guided meditation which I have used before. You’d be surprised how effective this can be!

Have A Little Fun

Watch a movie, bake some brownies, go out for drinks and dinner with friends, read a book, write in your journal, practice decorative handwriting, paint, sew, pet your cat or dog…. Do something that you know makes you happy! It’s simple and it works. Promise.

What do you do to deal with stress?