5 Quick Ways to De-Stress
- Aug 15, 2017
- 6 min read
As a writer, a business owner, and a person in general, there are going to be things that stress me out. There are many things that stress does to you. It can lead to headaches, stifle motivation, and shorten your patience - just to name a few. And if you're too stressed out, you won't be able to accomplish much.
So how are you going to take away stress?
There is no way to truly make your life stress-free. A bit of stress can be helpful too. But when things get to be too overwhelming, it's best to find ways to gain back control.
Here are 5 Ways to Quickly De-Stress
1. Meditate
2. Phone Call Home
3. Email Yourself
4. Draw
5. Coloring
1. MEDITATE / BREATHING
One of the best things to de-stress is something you're probably doing right now. I mean, you are breathing right? (Please, breathe!)
Now, I know what you're thinking. Okay, I don't know exactly what you're thinking, but I know what I would be thinking - first, if you were breathing in the first place, how can that be helpful; and secondly, breathing and meditation aren't the same thing.
You are quite clever!
Of course, there's more to meditation than just breathing. But, in it's most basic form, meditation is thoughtful breathing. Meditation is tapping into your mind, your soul even. It can be quite refreshing, but it can feel a bit overwhelming at the beginning.
Here's a tip - There's No Wrong Way to Meditate!
Essentially, you're doing it right. Need a few more pointers? Take a few minutes (literally you just need 2 minutes!) and find a quite place. Then, just sit and breathe deeply. Don't force yourself to think about anything. Let yourself relax. Two minutes. Deep breathing. You can handle that.
If you can't find quiet - headphones and classical music and sitting on the bathroom floor have done me wonders. You lock that door and no one can bother you! Then, you pop out a few minutes later, feeling recharged and ready to go.
Still need more tips? Check out these links:
* 20 Practical Tips for Understanding the Mind (some great tips! My fave is #20)
2. Phone Call Home
Okay, we're all done with the E.T. mental recreations now, right? Just me?
Calling home is sometimes such a relief - and I know some of you are scoffing now. Let me explain.
If you had a healthy, loving environment growing up, hearing that soothing voice of your parents, siblings, friends, etc. can be a great anchor. Especially if you're living far away. If you're near home, head over and buy some coffee cake or pie on the way. No one can turn you down for a chat if you turn up with some nice pie!
If you didn't have a loving, safe environment to call back on - that doesn't mean this doesn't work for you! Maybe you need to take stock a bit closer to the present. A friend, a close neighbor, your significant other, a pet - if they love you and care for you, they're likely to be down for a bit of a chat. Open up about how you're feeling, about your pressures and your expectations. Just let it all out!
Sometimes, just getting the obstacles that seem so big out of your head helps you to realize how manageable they are. And sometimes, having that loving presence point it out is enough to set you back on course.
Seriously, though, don't skip on the pie!
3. Email Yourself (Quiet Ranting)
Sometimes, you are into he middle of something (work, road trip, etc.) where you can't step away. And that can just make the whole situation more stressful.
When you need a moment away, but you can't be seen taking a moment away, you're still going to have to take your moment. Stress gets to all of us, and it's okay to speak up for yourself and seek help. But if you need something rightthisminute a great thing to do is write an email - to yourself.
It is never a good idea to send a note to someone you are angry with, while you're still angry. And there are plenty of situations that are just unlikely to be helped by confrontations. But you still need to get certain thoughts out of your head. If you can't talk with someone, the next best thing I can recommend would be to see the problems in front of you.
After making certain that you're saving the email as a draft or sending it your own, personal (not professional!) email, let all of your fears and obligations out. See the to-do list in front of you and acknowledge it as a areal thing.
No, you might not be able to solve the issues just then. No, this won't get rid of that annoying co-worker or your kids' haggling. No, this won't cure your aunt's cancer. But it makes your thoughts and fears more than just thoughts. They are real, right there in front of you. Maybe, in black and white, they're less scary. Maybe, they're more so. But you have given them a medium out of the confines of your mind. And that is a wonderful first step.
4. Draw
If you're not interested in art, you might find it difficult to imagine how relaxing drawing can be. I'm not tell you to become the next Picasso or produce the next Rembrandt. No, you're trying to de-stress!
I'm talking scribbles. I'm talking stick figures! I'm talking drawing something that makes your 3 year old nephew's art work look like a masterpiece!
When you draw, you're tapping into a creative side. And if you know a creative person, you know, you probably know that we're kind of sensitive. Well, all art is pretty much like that.
Art is about taking yourself deeper into emotions. Silly, sad, happy. All emotions are valid.
While you might not be addressing the issue itself, drawing will help you de-stress by
providing you with an outlet of emotions, and a comfort that you can do anywhere. If you're stuck in traffic, it's a lot safer to spend the fifteen minutes doodling then it would be yelling and pissed off at the state of things.
Personally, I like drawing. I'm not terribly good at it, but - like I tell my niece and nephew - the more you practice, the better you get. I've drawn the most hideous looking portrayals of my characters, but I'm pretty decent at drawing objects and buildings and animals and such.
Find what you like, and remember - there are no rules!
5. Coloring
Okay, sometimes you can't do anything and drawing seems like too much. Luckily, this last tip is pretty easy.
Remember how much you used to love coloring as a kid? (Don't you dare sit there and tell me that you didn't love to color!) Well, it's totally the same feeling as an adult.
Okay, I will confess that I haven't really ever stopped all those childish pleasures. And having younger members in the family certainly helps keep that child-like mentality. Also, reading stories of my childhood and reading new children's stories and middle grade have pretty much insured that I have the same joyful connection to certain things.
Simple pleasures.
Coloring allows you to tap into that youthful joy, and the creative sensitive side too. I love getting coloring books for the kids, and almost always end up doing a few pages myself. Sometimes the colors make sense; sometimes, they're completely ridiculous. Like all of the tips above, there aren't really any rules to coloring.
Crayons, markers, paint, even pencil shading. Coloring is anything you want it to be. And having activities that don't bog you down with rules or expect too much out of you are great for achieving a sense of calm.
*Bonus De-Stresser*
6. Make a Cuppa and Read the Newsletter!
In parts of the world, a cup of tea is called a cuppa and I love it! Also, it's totally cool if you need coffee instead. Or a smoothie. Or a milkshake.
The Newsletter is something we're putting together to help you (and us) get through the tough times! If you're interested in contributing, drop us a line. Pictures, poems, and snippets of your stories are all welcome! Really, anything creative that you feel will inspire others is welcome.
The hardest thing about getting something done are the obstacles that can hinder your progress. If you're a writer, your most important tool is your mind. And an unsettled mind isn't likely to produce much. Take the time to get yourself to your best self.
Keep Writing!
Ann
Comments