Well, the world has turned into quite a stressful place to be. There is a lot going on at the moment and we are all dealing with stress in one form or another. Whether it be financial, personal or even everyday stress. I think I can say even the most chilled-out person is feeling a bit of extra pressure at the moment.
I have been open and honest about my battle with depression and anxiety. I have never hidden it, in fact, this blog was a product of it. I started to write as a way to get my feeling out there and not in my head going round and round and being unproductive.
Today I think is a great time to share with you the things I do to switch off. I have a very active busy and sometimes an overthinking mind and I have learned a few ways to take some time out and refocus. So it's time to share them with you. So hopefully you can put them into practice too.
1. Fitness.
One of the biggest and best things I found for a bit of me-time was exercise. I hit the turbo train and spin and I focused on the task at hand. Part of my job is mountain biking I find hitting the trail and being in the mountain freeing it grounds me and puts me right in the moment.
As much as I would love you all to find mountain biking I know not everyone can or has access to the mountains. But being able to find fitness that you actually enjoy like mountain biking or hitting the turbo trainer will change your life. Not only are there health benefits but the mental benefits are 100-fold.
If you start by say choosing running and you hate it try something else there will be a type of exercise you will love. There are so many options why not join a gym and try a few classes? Grab a pair of Badminton shoes and join your local badminton club. Try salsa dancing there is an option for you.
2. Walking
Yes, this is similar to the first but if you have a spare 10 minutes get outside and walk. If you are in the city walk around the streets. If you are at home take a quick 10-minute walk from your house.
Grab the dog and take them a walk. Being out in the fresh air and walking really clears your mind. It also helps you to relax and refocus plus another little bit of exercise is always good. plus it is free to go for a walk and there is beauty everywhere to look at an expense so take some time outside and really look at your surrounding.
3. Games
I have been doing this for years. But I play games I love to play when my head gets really busy. I also play as a way to fall asleep my favourite place to get free games is solitaire.org. They have of course the classic Solitaire I have played Solitaire for years to fall asleep I find it so relaxing and I know it will automatically make me sleepy. It is part of my nighttime routine and It really works for me. There is something so soothing about playing cards.
I play on my iPad, phone or even now on my laptop. Yes, I have a game open now. What I am my own boss.
Solitaire.org offers so many different types of games. say you are a candy crush fan they have a version of that one. Weirdly I play this one before any stressful meeting it must have something to do with the bright colours but it really helps me refocus and balance my thoughts.
If these don't float your boat there are so many other options which are all free on Solitaire.org Like word searches Which I have loved since I was little which apparently is very strange for a dyslexic but you know me I am never going to fit in a box.
They also have hidden item object games and logic games like battleships and Minecraft. Honestly checks them out they are all free and what's even better there are no annoying popups. I bet you will find some of your favourite old classics over there.
Give it a shot try and play a game for 5 minutes when you are stressed it will refocus your mind enough to help you rebalance.
4. Bath
Take a soak in the tub for some people this is a no-no as their minds will wander too much in the quiet but for me, I have a technique to help me. I run a really hot bath with Epson salt and hydrating bubble bath. I light a candle with one of my favourite scents. I pour a cold glass of flavoured fizzy water and I turn on some really relaxing music loud enough to drown out any of my thoughts.
I wash my hair and put on a hair mask then I concentrate on my skin care and do a full routine of cleansing, exfoliating and the mask. then it's on to my legs and exfoliate and shave them. By this point, my mind has been busy focusing on self-care so much it should have refocused. Now I relax at the moment and think of things that make me happy and things I want to achieve. Yes, it should corny but that is what I do.
5. Talking
It took me years to realise it is ok to rely on other people. It is ok to talk about your feeling and worries with other people. It is ok to trust people. I have as you may know been through a lot in my life and for years I hide it and ran away from it. Now I realise how toxic that was for my own well-being. I am the shut up and put up type or at least I was but I am not now. I have learned that communication is key.
That old saying a trouble shared is a trouble halved is not far off the mark. If you are struggling and stressing speak to someone. Talk to someone you trust and you know will understand and be about to give you advice or who will just listen and not judge you.
It took a lot of years for me to open up about my past but I do try to not let it define me sometimes I do have insecurities and I need to talk about them to move through the feelings and that is what I do. I talk to someone I am blessed to have a husband I can talk to in my stressful time and I have some trusted friends I can reach out to.
6. Drinking
Do not reach for the bottle. We are all guilty of having a stressful day and opening a bottle of wine or pouring a gin and tonic. I am going to say something a bit controversial but don't do it.
Yes, we all like a drink now and again but adding alcohol to an overactive and worrying mind but it can go two ways. It can numb the pain or it can make you worry even more, Plus I don't need to get into the hangover guilt, do I?
You need your mind to be cleared not made hazy with alcohol. I know this will be an unpopular opinion but I promise it is better to be clear-headed and face your issues head-on and not with glass in hand. There is a place for a nice drink but it is not when you are in this mindset. Instead, reach for a non-alcoholic drink and rehydrate your body you see your mind functions better when your body is working at its best and this is with a fully hydrated and nourished body.
We need to learn it is ok to be vulnerable and talk openly about worries. There are too many people worried about being Instagram-perfect. I am not Instagram perfect I am me I worry and stress just like you and everyone else. We all need to least it's okay to not be ok. I hope some of these have helped you to deal with stress and worry a bit better and given you a way of coping.
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