Why hello there! I’m so happy you landed on this post. It’s a fun one because I’m actually up-cycling it from one of my earlier blogs – I had just gone through a breakup and felt the need to write out some things that helped me through that time. After a revamp, I’ve turned it into a list of some of my favorite self care practices for a dose of calm during stressful times.
I work with middle schoolers, and I often remind them that almost nothing is more important than their mental health. If you haven’t taken care of your mental health, it’s hard to take care of pretty much anything else. So below are the things I might specifically do on a stressful day that make me feel good. You’ll notice a trend throughout my list is to slow down. Rushing through tasks stresses the body and mind and what is the actual rush anyway?! I know, I know, easier said than done, but try to move intentionally as you integrate one or more of these into your day! Here are the things I do:
1. Cook a healthy meal you love and take your time eating it.
It’s so tempting to indulge in fast food when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Especially if you just got home and you’re starving! But more likely than not, it will feel good for a few minutes, but then even more awful. If I am cooking, my brain is distracted from whatever is stressing me out and I’m back in my body. It’s an active task that doesn’t require too much physical or mental exertion. And as a bonus, healthy food can help with a number of stress related issues! I like to make my dish look aesthetically pleasing as well if I can.
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2. Call a close family member or best friend just to see how he or she is doing.
It’s no secret that humans are social creatures and we need human connection to thrive! Kind of like cooking, talking out loud to someone is a gets us out of our own heads. Pick up the phone and call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while or call your mom who you spoke to yesterday! Your loved one will be so happy to hear from you. When I feel like I’m drowning at work or even in my personal life, it helps to remember I am not the only human in the world.
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3. Escape this world by picking up an easy read.
Perhaps you’re noticing a trend beyond slowing down – give the brain something to do other than think its own thoughts. I love to read almost any kind of book, but when I really want to relax, I like to read something easy and lighthearted. Some recommendations: Summer Sisters, Eat Pray Love, Confessions of a Shopaholic.
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4. Listen to songs that match your mood (in the car, as a bonus).
Okay hear me out – to feel happy, you don’t necessarily need to listen to happy music. When I’m feeling wildly stressed after work, I like to put on slower and ~sadder~ Taylor Swift songs. When I am about to go out with friends after a rough day, I might listen to rage songs and scream them at the top of my lungs. This is probably the most effective thing I can do for myself when feeling high strung. Then I’m pretty much forced to relax because it exhausts me lol but in all seriousness, music is wonderful for the soul.
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5. Take a short walk, or just go sit outside, and try to notice things you haven’t before.
I once read a post where the author tells a story about a man and his friend going for a walk. The man’s friend had been having a lot of trouble with anxiety and stress at work, so the man started pointing out all of the beautiful things along the street. The dandelions, the flowers poking out of some of the bushes and things like that. Stopping to appreciate the tiny things can alleviate stress and bring peace. It can also bring you back to yourself. If you work near a window, allow yourself to stare outside for just a couple of minutes at least every hour. Studies actually show that looking outside even for a moment can improve mental health!
These are just some really specific ideas you can do to feel just a little more calm or a little more happy. If I had to summarize, I would say slow down and get yourself back into the present moment any way that you can. Self care isn’t always face masks, bubble baths, and pilates, but making sure that you fill your life with the things that really really feel good. xo
