Relaxing When You Are Feeling Stressed

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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Everyone gets stressed from time to time. Some people get stressed more often than others and some people experience a greater degree of stress. Stress can occur when 'bad' things happen to us, when we have too much on our plate and even when we are experiencing a change or event we have chosen. What are some ways to help us relax?

Relaxing activities to relieve stress in the short term
  • Have some time alone, especially if you haven't had a moment to yourself for some time
  • Work on a hobby such as sketching, pottery, gardening, quilting, oil painting, woodwork etc
  • Read a book or magazine, it can be fiction or factual
  • Listen to an audio book/novel
  • Sing with a group or sing alone in the shower
  • Cook something you enjoy making, be creative
  • Listen to music you enjoy
  • If you can play a musical instrument, do it now
  • Get some exercise that you enjoy, perhaps go for a swim
  • Talk to a good listener who won't interrupt
  • Take a shower using your favourite shower gel or soap and take your time, don't rush
  • Pray
  • Meditate
  • Do yoga or tai chi
  • Sleep or just rest somewhere comfortable, perhaps in a hammock outside
  • Have a laugh
  • Write your feelings down in a journal or write a poem
  • Join a support group for ongoing help
  • Look after your physical health, sleep, good diet, exercise
  • Play with a pet
  • Do a breathing relaxation, there are instructions on CDs and the internet
  • Watch the clouds float across the sky. Look for shapes in the clouds.
  • Take some time out to just sit in a quiet place
  • Take yourself out for coffee or a pot of tea. Read a magazine in the cafe, perhaps avoid the newspaper because it is likely to contain the type of news that adds to your stress
                                                                            Image by Marie Vonow
  • Meet up with a friend who relaxes you for coffee either at home or a cafe
  • Get involved in a movie, could be a comedy or a drama that distracts you from what's stressing you
  • Play with a child or just do an activity a child would enjoy http://simpleselfimprovement.blogspot.com/2019/07/let-your-inner-child-have-some-fun.html
  • Blow bubbles

    You will know what is likely to work for you. If coffee makes you jittery it won't help you feel less stressed but another hot drink may work for you. If, like me, you can't sing in tune, then singing with a group may add to your stress so choose a different activity.

    Ways to relieve stress in the long term
    Whilst the list above may help you feel less stressed in the short term, perhaps you actually need to look at your life and make some changes to reduce the amount of stress you are experiencing overall. 

    A later blog post will contain a few ideas for reducing the amount of stress in your life. 

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