Life can get too much at times. Emotions running high, bad days, feeling unwell, problems at home or within relationships are all enough to cause us unwanted stress at times. I’ve been there and unfortunately, stress has becoming quite the familiar friend to a lot of us over the last 18 months. Everyone deals with stress differently and I wanted to share 4 de stressing activities that I used very regularly which help me a lot!
These 4 things are basic examples of de stressing activities that I like to do when things are feeling a bit heavy, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed or things are getting a bit much. Of course, if you’re experiencing particularly bad stress or anxiety, always contact your GP or a professional.
And it doesn’t have to take much to de stress after a particularly long and stressful day. Sometimes the smallest things really can help.
So let’s take a look at 4 very simple things that can help you de stress!
Have a bath
Not just a quick, ‘I’m going to have a wash’ bath. Like a proper, 6 hour long, lock yourself in the bathroom type bath. I don’t know about anyone else but I prefer to be alone when I’m stressed or having a bad day and what better place to do that than the bath?
The actual element of the bath that I find relaxing is the water. I find water calming and one of the only things that stills my mind sometimes. For that reason, if I’m REALLY stressed, I don’t tend to care about what products I’m using or lighting a candle.
I like to pretend my problems don’t exist when I’m in the bath.
Don’t have a bath? If like me, you find water relaxing, then your de stressing activities might be visiting a lake or going swimming!
Read a book
It depends on what book and if I’m in a particular mood or going through a strange time, I’m often very weird and picky on what books I read as anything that reminds me or may make me think about what’s happening to me is likely to make me feel worse.
When this is the case, I like to go for crime or thrillers. Something dark and disturbing or YA. Something with meaningful messages with amazing characters. Whichever I choose, if it’s a book I like then it’s great to get lost in it for a while, particularly when you’re stressed.
Need some book recommendations? Check out these posts:
- 10 Books I’ve Read More Than Once
- 5 Authors On My Auto-Buy List
- 6 Binge-Worthy Fiction Books To Add To Your Summer Reading List
Watch a documentary
I love documentaries anyway and they often make me open my eyes to bigger things that are happening in the world when I’m sitting there worrying about something that chances are, doesn’t really matter.
You’d think documentaries of this nature would stress you out even more and for some people, that might be the case. So of course if you’re trigged by a certain subject, don’t watch a documentary on it. I think that much is obvious.
But documentaries often allow us to learn something new. And I find learning one of the great de stressing activities.
Related read: 4 Stacey Dooley Documentaries You Need To Watch Immediately
Sort my room out / tidy up
There’s nothing I find more therapeutic or relaxing than tidying up or sorting out clutter. It saddens me that I can sort through my room more often but if I did, I’d have no possessions left!
Sometimes when it needs doing, I dedicate a whole day and do my room from top to bottom – all the shelves, drawers, my wardrobe, under my bed and organise, tidy and throw stuff out. It’s extremely satisfying at the end of the day when it’s all done and sometime you feel a little bit lighter for it.
It also takes up so much time and energy that I often don’t think about whatever it is I’m stressed over for a while.
Need some help de-cluttering? I got your back!
- A Simple Guide To De-Cluttering
- How To De-Clutter Your House: Room By Room Checklist
- 5 Areas of Your House You Shouldn’t Neglect When De-Cluttering
Do you do any of these de stressing activities? Or have any others to add to this list? Let me know!
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When I feel stressed I cleaning the apartment and watching documentaries. I prefer documentaries on Quantum physics or the ancient world.
I can’t say I’d enjoy those type of documentaries myself, I prefer crime or health related ones!
Reblogged this on Confessions of a real girl.
I definitely grab a book when I feel anxiety creep in. I used to practice yoga, but my teacher left and it’s been so long now that I’m afraid I’m gonna hurt myself! Though I’m thinking about getting back to it, even the simplest exercises have an amazing effect.
I love having a big clear out and throwing away a load of old junk. Also love to read and write. Not really a fan of baths, I get too hot and that makes me stressed haha.
Ooh I love baths because you can control the temperature. I never have a REALLY hot bath but sometimes I like to have a really cool one! It’s so relaxing (: book, chocolate and bath = perfect combo.
Great post, having ways to destressing is so important. Xxx
https://aklfreebeauty.blogspot.com/
It really is! xx
There is definitely something about a clean living space that just fills me with calm. Yes!
Yes! Completely agree!
I love sorting stuff out when I’m stressed. I usually get the bleach out and scrub, get rid of all the agitated energy that comes with being stressed. Lately I’ve found making friendship bracelets really helps 😀
Yes! Polishing and hoovering really relaxes me – I love knowing I’m getting rid of all dust and dirt. Aww friendship bracelets sound lovely! (: xx