When you’re having a bad day and everything is getting on top of you it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. But there are simple ways to make coping with the situation a whole lot easier. Here are six ways to reduce stress, quickly and easily.
1 | Turn Off Your Phone
As useful as your phone is it can easily become a source of anxiety and stress. Don’t let your notifications dictate how you spend your time. Remember to turn your phone off (or at least on silent) and disconnect regularly throughout the day to give yourself some peace and quiet from the buzzing, dinging, calling, and vibrating. Allow yourself a little space away from the constant cycle of opening and closing apps, and endless scrolling of websites.
2 | Stop Multitasking
When you have a lot of commitments and chores, cramming as much stuff into your day as possible becomes a habit. It’s inevitable you’ll start multitasking to get it all done but we all know that’s a recipe for failure. Accept that there just aren't enough hours in the day to get through your to-do list; they’ll always be more to do. So give yourself a break, stop multitasking, and focus on one thing at a time. Slow and steady wins the race.
3 | Take A Nap
Not getting enough sleep can affect your physical health and mental well-being. When you’re anxious and stressed this can take its toll on your body and you might find you need more sleep when you're going through stressful situations. If you find yourself frequently feeling lethargic and run down, take regular naps to boost your energy and restore your positive mental attitude.
4 | Get Fresh Air
When you need to destress try walking it off. Stepping away from your desk and your chores by getting outside and going for a walk provides you with a chance to decompress and destress. Fresh air can reinvigorate you when you’re flagging after a long day; breathing in the fresh air will refresh you while walking outdoors give you a chance to practise mindfulness techniques. If you’re feeling stressed, stepping outside and breathing in crisp fresh air is the perfect remedy.
5 | Write It Down
If you’re struggling with a stressful situation or difficult decisions, getting it out of your head by writing it all down on paper can relieve stress and help you work through your worries. Take a moment to really feel everything you’re feeling and channel those thoughts in a list or journal entry to help you work through your thoughts. Getting it all out of your head can dramatically improve how you feel and relieve the stress you’re feeling.
6 | Do What Makes You Happy
Read a book, write in your journal, visit friends, call family, watch your favourite tv series, go on a hike, have a bath, work on a DIY project, listen to podcasts; whatever it is, carve out some spare time to do whatever it is that makes you the most happy. Making time for self-care and ‘restful activities’ will improve your life, health, and well-being, helping you to destress and unwind. The only way we can be truly happy is when we allow ourselves some time to do the things we enjoy the most.
