Stress.
I have finally realized that stress plays a significant role in my life and ability to do everything from control my voice level to shoving my mouth full of Ben & Jerry's caramel core ice cream.
I thought I was just getting older, holding on to a few extra pounds, but no, I'm a little stressed.
I asked my friends on Facebook how they handle stress. I genuinely feel like I need some better coping skills. (Not that I don't enjoy the Ben & Jerry's- it's just that I enjoy it too much!) Their response was overwhelming!
It appears as though I am not the only person looking to cope without losing control or consuming an extra 1000 calories a day.
Here are my favorite tips- but note- there are two different types of tips.
One group of stress handling tips works when you have alone time. These are awesome and make you feel special.
But let's be real- I often find myself the most stressed when I am NOT alone. If I took a walk or a long bath while my kids were freaking out at 6pm (aka, the witching hour), I would walk back to a house burned to the ground and a copious amount of blood and spit. Sirens, complimentary.
So the second category of stress relief activities can be utilized even if your kids are the culprit behind your stress and you can't leave them alone! They are all mixed up, but you can tell the difference.
You. Are. Welcome.
I realize some of these are similar to one another, but I think they all speak to me in a slightly different way.
Don't thank me though- I don't have a lot of skills in this area. Thank my awesome friends!
102 Ways to Deal With Stress
- Talk to someone
- Go for a walk
- Cry
- Breathe deliberately
- Pray
- Organize something
- Scrub something
- Make a plan
- Write about it
- Listen to music
- Create something
- Don't ignore it
- Identify what is causing the stress
- Let go
- Meditate
- Garden
- Walk in the woods
- Appreciate the good things
- Watch something you love or that makes you laugh on Netflix
- Epsom salt baths
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Essential oils
- Sunshine
- Call your family
- Talk to your husband or loved one
- Get a hug
- Curl up in the fetal position
- Scriptures
- Natural Calm
- Journaling
- Get out of the house
- Go outside!
- Read
- Take calming supplements
- Plan a vacation
- Watch the waves
- Fly a kite
- Go to a sacred place
- Nidra Yoga
- Vacuum
- Affirmations!
- Listen to relaxation soundtracks
- Drink some herbal tea
- Do something that reminds you of being pampered even if you can't go to a spa
- Group text your closest friends
- Gym!
- Listen to an audiobook or music
- Be alone
- Run!
- Go to the bookstore
- Sit in the sun
- Shop online!
- Watch YouTube
- 4-7-8 breathing
- Read in the tub
- T-Tapp wellness workout
- Oat straw or other herbal helps
- Wilderness
- Intense exercise
- Lock yourself in the bathroom
- Talk to your Higher Power
- Food
- Shower
- Blasting music
- Dancing
- Do something you have been avoiding
- Put on makeup
- Write yourself a love letter
- Lock yourself in the car
- Craft
- Work outside by yourself
- Leave the kids with a sitter!
- Name it
- Lift weights
- Ocean
- Do nothing
- Deep cleaning
- Massage
- Alternative energy output
- Get everyone in the car, put a story on CD, and drive around
- Tincture of California poppy
- Walk a dog
- Hang in there!
- KavaKava
- L Theanine
- Doughnuts
- Rectify the situation
- Art
- Hiking
- Re-think it- don't view it as stress, view it as an opportunity to grow. Change your perception and change the experience.
- Relocate to a peaceful environment
- Chocolate
- Play an instrument
- Bang on drums
- Verbalize it with someone you trust
- Candlelit dinner…
- Ride a bike
- Workout videos on YouTube
- 90s pop music- LOUD
- Vacation!