11 Ways to Relieve Stress Naturally
There is no shortage of stress these days. Deadlines are looming at work. Keeping up with the kids’ busy schedules. The cat needs to go to the vet. The laundry is piling up. You haven’t made it to the grocery store this week and you have no idea what you are going to make for dinner. The house looks like a tornado hit and everyone expects you to take care of it all! Seriously?!
It’s been way too long since you took the time to take care of yourself. It is starting to show. You can’t keep doing it all. You are tired all of the time. You have a near-constant headache. Your back hurts. You have trouble eating and you're not sleeping.
It’s time to slow down and be able to enjoy life again. Feel lighter and freer. Remember those endless days of summer as a kid? You had the whole day stretched out before you with nothing that you had to do. Go swimming at the pool? Sure, why not? Go build a fort with the neighbor? Absolutely! Go to the library and get a giant stack of books and be transported somewhere else for days? Um…yeah!
What if I told you that you could experience that again? Yeah, you might not be a kid anymore, but why can’t you have some fun too? You can! Here’s how…
Coping Strategies
1. Get outside
Go ride a bike, climb a tree, have a picnic at the park, and explore the forest. Heck, build a fort. These things are not just for kids. We all benefit from getting out of the house. We have spent way too much time indoors over the last few years and we need a change of scenery. Breath in the air of the trees and forest. Listen to the calm and peacefulness of it. Allow yourself to take it all in.
2. Move your body
Our bodies were not designed to sit. They say sitting is the new smoking. Let’s get out there and move. Do something you love that doesn’t feel like a chore. Play tennis, walk on the beach, and play tag with your kids. Exercise should not feel like something that you have to do, it should be enjoyable, so do something you actually like to do. Have fun with it.
3. Laugh
Laughter is truly really good medicine. It relaxes our nervous system and helps us to feel safe. Watch a ridiculously cheesy movie. Tell yourself a corny joke. Watch a video of stupid animal tricks. When was the last time you had a really good roll-on-the-floor belly laugh? You’re probably way overdue.
4. Spend time alone
Sometimes we just need a little time to ourselves. We are constantly around others at home, school, or work. We need downtime to decompress. Have some quiet. A moment alone with our thoughts.
5. Spend time with others
Too much time alone is not always helpful, however. Humans are social creatures. We need one another. We don’t always like to admit that, but it is true and nothing to be ashamed of. Somewhere along the way, we were taught that we have to do it all ourselves. So not true. It is impossible to do it all. Let others help you and help others. It feels good. So let’s be there for one another. Let’s lift each other up.
6. Listen to music
Turn on your favorite song. Remember that song from middle or high school that you remember all the words to? That you loved dancing to with your friends? Play that! Loudly! Sing at the top of your lungs. Dance like nobody is watching and enjoy the moment for you!
7. Play
Be silly! Have fun. Don’t try to be serious all of the time. It’s ok. You can still be a grown-up, be responsible, and silly sometimes. Things will still get done. So play a board game. Jump in a lake. Play at the park. Play soccer, tennis, or go sailing. Maybe you make a sailboat out of cardboard in your living room and use a sheet for a sail. Have fun with it. That’s the whole point!
8. Spend time in/by water
Water has an incredible relaxing ability on our bodies. When we immerse ourselves in it we start to feel more at peace. Perhaps for you, it is a nice hot bubble bath. Maybe you are in a kayak in a lake or the ocean. Perhaps laying on an inner tube on a lake. The waves gently lapping against you and the warm sun on your skin. Maybe it’s sitting on a beach with your toes in the sand just listening to the sound of the ocean.
9. Get a hug
There is nothing like a long extended hug from someone you really care about. Our breathing slows. Our heart stops racing. Our whole body receives the message that it is safe and cared for. If you are not a big hugger, perhaps snuggle up with your dog or cat.
10. Sleep
Stress takes its toll on our bodies. We are irritable, can’t concentrate, and are less productive. Make sleep a priority and set yourself up for success. Have a consistent bedtime and a nighttime routine. Try to get at least 7 hours per night, ideally more.
11. Eat delicious, nutritious food
We all know we should eat better, but it’s hard. When we are stressed our bodies want those carbs. We usually reach for what’s the quickest and easiest. Unfortunately, those don’t last long in our systems, and then we are hungry again! When our blood sugar dips, so does our mood, and our anxiety soars. Choose food that is going to last longer in your body. Those would be the complex carbs (whole grains, beans, veggies, and fruits). Keep your favorites around and have them handy to grab.
In today’s world of constant stress, it is more important than ever to take time to relax. Find peace and calm in your day-to-day life. You don’t have to keep going, going, going all of the time without rest. It is not helpful. You can’t keep living this way. Make rest and downtime a priority for yourself and your loved ones.
Maybe you recognize these ideas as being helpful, but things keep getting in your way. Being too busy with work and family commitments. Wrapped up with family needs or other’s drama. Maybe you don’t know how or feel you don’t deserve it.
If you could you more support, please contact me for more information or schedule a free consultation. I see clients in Oregon and Washington, both online and in person. I am based in Vancouver, WA.