40 Proven Stress Busters

By
For many of us, the end of the school year equals the beginning of summer vacation.  Even if you don't have kids or grandkids, the longer hours of daylight mean that you have more leisurely evenings to spend with friends, go to a barbecue or picnic, attend an outdoor concert, or enjoy a long after-dinner walk.


Yet on a day-to-day basis, we still have work and errands and other responsibilities, and the stresses of those things can still get us down.





Relaxation and stress relief are what we hope to gain from leisure, and the following ideas can also be helpful.  And minimalism itself is a proven antidote to a stressful life, since it's about making space and time for what's necessary and valuable, and removing what isn't.



Eat or drink


1.  Drink a glass of cold water when you're feeling stress.  Your problem could be dehydration rather than stress.

2.  Migraine headache?  Eat some spinach.  It's full of magnesium, which is used in the ER to treat migraine attacks.

3.  Eating 10-12 raw almonds is the equivalent of taking two aspirins for a headache.

4.  Chew on a mint leaf.  Mint has been proven to reduce stress levels.

5.  The amino acids in one cup of yogurt have a calming effect.

6.  Avocados boost serotonin (your body's natural "happy drug").  Eating them regularly will improve your mood.

7.  Have a square of dark chocolate.  It contains phenylethylamine and tryptophan, which release serotonin.

8.  Eating a banana helps your mind relax, which will leave you feeling happier and stress-free.

9.  Ginger tea will help a headache.

10.  Sip on some hot chocolate.  Studies show it increases blood flow to key areas of the brain, boosting mood and alertness for up to two hours.



Move your body


11.  The way you start your day can affect your reactions to stress that day.  Before you do anything else in the morning, take 5 minutes to do stretching exercises.  Stretching helps relax muscles, which can reduce feelings of stress.

12.  Even 5 minutes of vigorous exercise will increase your endorphin levels and lower feelings of stress.

13.  Squeeze a stress ball.



Take a break


14.  Take 5 minutes to sit and relax in silence.  Find a comfortable position and just let your mind wander.

15.  If you're stressed at work, step away from your desk and take a short walk around the office or up and down a flight of stairs.  Stop by the drinking fountain on the way back to your desk.

16.  Run your wrist under cold water for a couple of minutes.  It will cool your blood.

17.  Turn off technology for a few hours.  No phones, computers, or TV.  A break from bad news, gossip, obligations, or FOMO can really lift your mood.



Breathe


18.  Hang some cuttings of eucalyptus around your shower head.  The steam will release a refreshing, invigorating fragrance and beneficial oils every time you shower.

19.  Use the "square breathing" technique anywhere at any time:  inhale deeply for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, wait for 4 seconds.  Repeat.

20.  Put 2 or 3 drops of lavender essential oil in your cupped palms.  Inhale deeply to draw the scent all the way to your amygdala gland (the emotional center of your brain) to feel calm.  Then rub the oil on your temples, neck, or wrists for an immediate calming effect on the body.

21. Sniff a lemon.  Studies show the fresh citrus fragrance will immediately improve your mood.

22.  Yawning cools your brain, which helps release stress.  Can't yawn?  Try just thinking of the word "yawn."



Be in nature 


23.  Have you had your vitamin D levels checked?  Low vitamin D will make you feel lackluster and out-of-sorts.  Spend 5-10 minutes sitting in the sunshine with your face and hands exposed.

24.  If it's cloudy or raining, boost vitamin D with a daily 2,000 IU supplement.

25.  Being in nature increases calmness and vitality.  Go for a walk, sit in a garden, climb a tree.  Lay in the grass and watch the clouds.



Enjoy positive interactions


26.  Give a sincere compliment.  Being kind boosts serotonin and dopamine levels, which will increase your sense of happiness and well-being.

27.  Smile, even when you're in a bad mood.  Using these muscles is enough to trigger the happy chemicals in your brain.

28.  Exchange neck and shoulder massages with a friend.

29.  Spend some time with your pet.

30.  Want to feel better instantly?  Hug, snuggle, or kiss someone you love.  Not only will you feel loved and loving, but it's been scientifically proven to lower blood pressure.



Think positive


31.  Give a dollar or all your spare change to a homeless person.  Remember that you have enough for your needs.  This can reduce anxiety.

32.  Start a gratitude journal.  At bedtime, write down two or three people, events, opportunities, and comforts you appreciate.  Ending the day on a positive note will not only help you sleep better, but will eventually change your entire outlook.

33.  Practice affirmations.



Be creative


34.  Doodle or draw something. 

35.  Singing releases a large number of endorphins and can make you feel better almost instantly.  Play your favorite song and sing along!

36.  Find a distraction.  Do something that will take your mind off stressful thoughts for 15 minutes, such as playing an instrument, coloring, origami, or knitting.



Sleep


37.  Lack of sleep increases stress.  Make sure you're getting at least 7 solid hours of sleep every night.

38.  Take a nap.  Even 20 minutes can improve metabolism and the quality of sleep you'll get at night.



Just let it out!


39.  Make a to-do list.  Simply getting the tasks you need to finish out of your head and onto a piece of paper will make you feel less stressed.

40.  Let out stress the old-fashioned way by yelling.  Go to a closet, or your car, or anywhere away from people, and just let it out.


Comments

  1. Karen TrefzgerJuly 22, 2021 at 2:17 PM

    Joseph, thank you very much for your kind comments. I will be sure to visit your blog.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

45 Useful Tips to Help You Responsibly Declutter Unwanted Items

By
Image
Do you ever drive down the highway or out on a country road and see someone's old couch or mattress?  When driving through the orchards and croplands around my town, I sometimes see stuff like this in an irrigation ditch.  I can't believe people do this, and leave it for the farmers to clean up or pay for disposal. Tossing stuff you no longer need or want into a dumpster isn't minimalism – it's the equivalent of littering , just like the people who throw things out on the side of the road.  It may seem simple, but it's not responsible or good for the environment. Unfortunately, some of what we remove from our homes is garbage , and there's no place for it but the landfill.  But when getting rid of clutter means mindlessly tossing it into the garbage, it becomes too easy to buy more and fill our homes up all over again.   By becoming more accountable, we change our minds about purchasing.  I believe that when you thoughtfully declutter, you'll become very sen
Read more

Why You Should Make "Less is More" Your Mantra for Life

By
Image
Maybe you've heard the saying popularized by architect Mies van der Rohe in 1947:  "Less is more." It's an oxymoron – a phrase that seems to contradict itself.  Others include "old news," "open secret," "unbiased opinion," and "awfully good."  Or the lament, "Parting is such sweet sorrow." What does "less is more" mean?  It's wonderfully open-ended.  Answers to that are as varied as the people who reply.  Consider: Less anxiety, more peace. Less debt, more savings. Less busywork, more substance. Less clutter, more space. Less comparison, more contentment. Less sugar, more vegetables. Voluntary simplicity Back in the 1990s, a fair number of Americans realized that the continual quest for more and better was stressing them out and keeping them from creating lives of purpose.  After the consumerist binge of the yuppie-era 80s, some started wondering if the big house, flashy car, exotic vacation, and Rolex we
Read more

12 Tips to Try When You're Frustrated with Decluttering

By
Image
I won't sugar-coat it – decluttering is a hard job.  The more you're stressed and challenged by your home – the more you need the benefits that come with decluttering – the bigger the job probably is.  The advantages are real, but so is the frustration.  At times, you may feel tired, sad, or overwhelmed.  Letting go of stuff requires constant decision-making, and sometimes you'll need a break. And you deserve one!  You're not just decluttering, you're in the process of changing your mindset and your habits , and that's hard for anyone.  So when you feel like the job is too big, or that you should have everything under control, remember that no one has it all under control.  We're human, which means that we often have to learn the hard way.  But the victory will be even sweeter because you made it through the highs, the lows, and everything in between. When you feel like giving up, on decluttering or anything else, be gentle with yourself, and say goodbye to
Read more

Why You Should Try Wearing the Same Clothes Every Day

By
Image
Wearing the same clothes every day would get boring, wouldn't it? A long time ago, I had a job that required a uniform, and I have to say it did make life easier .  I had three copies of my work outfit, and there was never a question about what to wear.  I never worried whether my clothes were stylish or "right," because everyone else wore the same thing. The same argument has been used in public and private schools in favor of student uniforms.  Rather than constant worries about fashion and comparisons and dress codes, a uniform makes everything simple.  It's one less thing to think about in the complex life of a student. Many people argue that clothes make a statement about who you are.  "I express myself through my clothes" is a comment I've often heard, usually from women.  The idea of a uniform scares them, because how will they make themselves noticeable or unique ? I think we might be imagining some sort of Handmaid's Tale society, where we
Read more

The Hygge Way to Clean and Declutter

By
Image
When I returned home from a weekend trip recently, I immediately unpacked my suitcase, washed a load of dirty clothes, and put everything away.  It made me feel settled and at home.  It was comfortable. A few days later, I felt a bit restless, so I set my writing aside and started cleaning.  I cleaned the refrigerator door and wiped the kitchen counters.  I swept the porch and mopped the floor in our small entry hall.  I decluttered a few old papers from my file box.  It felt good. Self-soothing with home care For me, cleaning, organizing, and decluttering are a form of self-care.  Tidying gives me satisfaction.  It makes me feel that I'm managing my life and ready for what's next. A hygge home isn't dirty.  It's not cluttered with garbage, dirty dishes, or things we never use or put away.  It's not covered in a thick layer of dust.  So don't decide that pouring a glass of wine, lighting a candle, and snuggling under a blanket is hygge, but running the vacuum is
Read more