They say the 21st century is the best time to be alive as compared to any other period in human history. What many forget is that it is also the most stressful time to be alive. Taking care of one’s mental health has now become more important than ever.
Here is a list of 30 things you can do to de-stress during a hard time:
1)Meditate
Meditation holds a plethora of benefits for those who practice it. Some well-known benefits include an increase in self-awareness and focus. There are many different types of meditation techniques, such as guided meditation, qi gong, and tai chi. A simple and well-laid-out guide to meditation can be found here.
2)Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises not only calm you down but also increase your quality of sleep. The 4-7-8 is a well-known breathing exercise you can try. You just have to inhale for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, and exhale for 8 seconds. There are many guided breathing exercises on YouTube that you can try, like this one.
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3)Play Some Games
Studies have shown that gaming can reduce stress by providing instant dopamine hits. Dopamine is the chemical in your brain that makes you feel good. Games can also promote creativity and user satisfaction.
Find out more about how gaming affects you positively here. If you have never played games before, then perhaps you can try this quiz.
4)Read a Book
For some healthy escapism, why not read a book? Or listen to some audiobooks? Books help broaden our perspectives and allow us to have experiences we could otherwise never have.
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5)Daydream
Allow yourself to daydream about the life you want, even if it isn't very realistic. We all have dreams and desires inside us. Sometimes we get caught up in our hectic world and we forget what we really want. Indulge yourself for a while to think of everything you have ever wanted to do.
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6)Eat Some Chocolate
Consider this a sign to grab some delicious chocolate. There is plenty of scientific backing that eating some dark chocolate can lower stress levels.
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7)Listen To Music
It is no surprise that music helps with stress relief, but if your usual music just isn't working for you, consider listening to lofi music or rainy sounds to help you relax.
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8)Exercise
We all learned in school that exercise can improve both our physical and mental well-being. There are many different physical activities you can try, such as running, martial arts, basketball, and badminton. Just to name a few.
9)Stretching
Stretching helps relieve muscle tension, which might be something you’re prone to if you’re stressed out all the time. Take a break every once in a while if you’re working, and stretch.
10)Wysa
Wysa is this incredible app I found in 2020, aimed at users with mild anxiety and depression. Wysa is an AI chatbot that helps you work through your issues and is someone you can talk to about what is going on in your life. Wysa is anonymous, so your privacy is protected at all times. I have tried other similar apps as well, but I found that this was by far the best one.
11)Get Organised
Getting organized won't just make your working space look pretty, it can also help you function better. Being organized helps you save a lot of time and effort, which would ultimately lower stress levels in the long run.
12)Cuddle With a Pet
A no-brainer, truly, if you happen to be an animal lover. If you have pets, consider spending some quality time with them. You can either cuddle with them or just play with them. Whichever one you choose, you are guaranteed to feel at least a little better afterward.
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13)Chew Gum
If you’re stressed and you're working on something, consider chewing on some gum. Science hasn’t yet figured out why and how exactly it works, but they can tell you it does work.
14)Laughter is the Best Medicine
Laugh your heart out by watching some stand-up comedy by your favorite comedians or by watching your favorite comedy show!
15)Take a Nap
Sometimes we just need to sleep it off. Set an alarm and go to sleep. You might see things from a better perspective with a fresh mind.
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16)Talk to a Friend
Don't try to carry the burden all by yourself. Talk to your friends and family members about what is bothering you. They may offer a new perspective on the source of your stress and this may help you overcome your problems and feel better. Make sure to be there for your friends when they need you as well!
17)Journalling
If you really cannot talk to anyone and cannot afford therapy, consider journaling or writing in a diary. Often, the process of writing things down helps us pause and rethink how we see and feel about things. Journaling and writing about one’s thoughts may not be easy at first. So why not give these journaling prompts a try?
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18)Take a Shower
Taking a good shower is an underrated form of relaxation. Both cold showers and hot showers can be good for you, depending on what you have to do. There are also other ways to make your showers more relaxing here.
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19)Put on Some Face Masks
Personally, I like putting on nice scented face masks or using a special scrub every once in a while to de-stress. There is something therapeutic about doing simple things like so. As well as that, research has found that taking care of oneself physically can have a positive impact on one’s perception of self.
20)Having a Daily Ritual or Routine
Consider having a daily ritual or routine. Having a daily ritual can help make you feel more grounded by having one permanent thing in your everyday life.
Or perhaps you like knowing what you're going to be doing day in and day out. Generally, a routine or daily ritual can be beneficial in reducing our workload, thus reducing stress.
21)Try Something New and Unfamiliar
If you are bored with everything around you, why not try something new that you have never done before? Maybe you have never played computer games or read a book for fun? You can use this list as a guide or make your own list of unfamiliar activities. Exploring new things can bring an adrenaline rush in some people, which can help them feel less stressed.
22)Travel
Travelling doesn’t mean you have to visit someplace halfway across the world. As boring as it may sound, why not view the place you live in as a tourist? You can search Google maps for tourist destinations and go there alone or with a friend. You can also just visit a new park or window shop. You never know what treasure is hiding in plain sight. [Travelling is only an option if the Covid-19 situation in your area permits it.]
Photo by Josephine Baran on Unsplash
23)Take a Course
If you happen to be the type who likes learning something as a way to relax, I suggest taking an online course. There are many resources online on a lot of topics and there are also many free courses. Some examples are Duolingo, Coursera, Udemy, Khan Academy, and many more.
24)Watch a Movie
Similar to reading, watching movies or shows can provide a healthy dose of escapism for those who need it. If you do not have any particular movie you want to watch, consider some Studio Ghibli films. Studio Ghibli films have very beautiful visuals and relaxing music, which is perfect to unwind with.
25)Youtube
A lot of people watch Youtube videos to unwind a little. There are a lot of cool things on YouTube that you can watch. Just remember to set a timer.
26)Make Some Art
Sometimes, it can be hard to express our feelings in words. Art therapy can be a way for you to process and channel your emotions in a creative manner. Remember, there are no mistakes in art, just happy little accidents.
So don't forget to have a lot of fun and be you! You can draw or make anything you're interested in or you can refer to some art therapy prompts to help you get started.
27)Sing
Belt out your favorite tunes in your room. If the neighbors complain, that’s on you though.
28)Dance
Turn on some really loud music and let yourself move to the music! There’s no right or wrong way to dance. You can watch Youtube videos about dancing if you’re very interested, of course. Go nuts!
29)Get Takeout
We don't always have the energy to cook. Getting takeout once in a while never hurt anyone.
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30)Learn a New Craft
Learning a new craft can be very fulfilling in the long run. Personally, I like doing some embroidering since it helps me zone out. Crocheting is also quite repetitive and can help you zone out, which ultimately helps you relax. Other crafts you can try are here.
Sometimes the only way to relax might just be doing nothing. Hopefully, this list has been useful in helping you relax!
