Everyone deals with stress. Stress is apart of our world. It is how we process that stress and what we do with it that matters. From taking tests, interviewing for a new job, dealing with the pressures of parenting, ending a marriage and more stress shows its head. If you have stress and also deal with anxiety they seem to collide often. So how do I deal with stress? Here are some of my suggestions in hopes that it inspires you to add healthy stress relievers in your life.
Courtesy of Pexel PicturesStress and Mental Health
So with my personal mental health I have a few levels of stress. There is the stress of immediate change. This is when something that is outside of my control happens. If it is something that I readily see a solution then my management of it seems well adjusted. An example of this is the kids’ schedule. I know I have the most flexibility than most parents. So a change in their schedule is manageable. I can for the most part move meetings around at my discretion. An example of when things appear to be less manageable is when on a travel day after careful planning, someone gets sick. That may not be something I can readily adjust.
Courtesy of Pexel PicturesMy Easy Stress Relievers
Easy is subjective. For me when I say easy I mean things that I can do immediately that won’t cause much fuss. For instance if I feel that stress is coming on my first line of defense is to go outside if possible. Being outside for 10 minutes is beneficial. It helps to clear your mind and an instant mood booster.
Other suggestions for mood boosting:
- Play a happy song
- Drink ice cold water
- Use essential oils my favorites are lavender or rose
- Stretch or do a 10 minute yoga exercise
- Journal
- Clean a small space
- Talk to a friend
When stress becomes overwhelming
If you find that your stress levels are elevated to the point where the simple tasks are becoming a chore it may be time to step your game up. One of the things that I learned in therapy that you should have a game plan before stress over takes you. What that means is that instead of waiting until you are in despair find and adopt a lifestyle of calm before the stress kicks in. This isn’t always as easy to do. For instance when my mom when we were younger was deciding that we needed to go to a shelter, one of the small steps to helping with stress might not be enough. However creating a lifestyle of adding in calmer moments would have helped her manage her and our stress better. One of the things she acknowledged on the podcast episode she was on.
Courtesy of Pexel PicturesHow to add a Lifestyle of Calm
Its all in how you feel yourself and your life. You don’t need a soft life or an aesthetic house to create a life of calm. In order to create a life of calm is to start and end your day on the best foot. For instance, instead of grabbing your phone, meditate, pray, listen or write down affirmations. It’s the thought process of adding in these mindfulness moments that help guide your life in an upperward motion. For instance before my mother in law passed I was heavy in therapy for many reasons. She helped me to come up with coping skills. These skills would be the catalyst of what helped me to be there for my husband and kids. To be honest it helped me too but I found that I didn’t grieve for almost 2 years after her passing.
Courtesy of Pexel PicturesSo with stress don’t just gain skills to be of help to others. Use those skills to help you too. You are allowed to make your life and mindset better. It helps those around you but never make these changes for someone else. The more it is for you the more it will become a way of life for you. Remember that.
Self Care Tools that I have Purchased
So self care and mental health is a way of life. It is also a money maker for many companies. I am a firm believer that you have enough self care around your house and you don’t even know it. Self are doesn’t have to be expensive. It is not in a toy or a thing. It’s how you listen to your body and act accordingly. For instance, when I am stressed it may not be because I need to get my nails done. I can have whipped up nails an my life be in shambles. However it could be as simple as not having enough rest. So instead of running to the nail salon maybe I catch an hour nap. It could be in doing things like reading a book out of my book corner and staying down in it to reset.
Courtesy of Toi of Toitimeblog, Amazon listHowever there are tools that I love to use and are my go to:
- SleepPhones for good deep sleep
- Stress balls
- Shower tablets
- Cool Mist Humidifier
- Face Mask
- Weighted Blanket
- Sound Machine
Courtesy of Pexel PicturesSo today think about your go tos for stress. If it is something that is unhealthy this is a way to backtrack it a little. No need to add more things to your world that could increase your stress over time. For instance when I find that I am in my most stressful moments I don’t add alcohol. Yes, I said that right, I eliminate alcohol. Some people run to it but I know that over time it’s not helping me in the long run. Consider these drinks in stressful moments instead of alcohol. Take care of you. You are no good to others when you aren’t good to yourself.
