Stress can be a monster. Not only does it feel unpleasant, but too much of it can have adverse long-term health effects. There are about a million ways to de-stress and Mind Off of Things, but no one thing is going to work for everyone, but there are a few tried-and-true methods of relieving stress that we’ll touch on today. Try them out next time work has you feeling a little overwhelmed and see how they work for you.
Here are three easy ways to help take your mind off of things for a while.
Take a Drive
Something as simple as taking a drive with some good music can do wonders for your stress levels and your overall outlook on life. Whether it’s a quiet, peaceful drive or a two-hour live concert starring you, driving provides just enough of a focused distraction that it allows the brain to chew on problems subconsciously. It may even help you think a little clearer and come up with a solution to that issue that’s been nagging at you!
Just be careful not to choose this option if you’re feeling too stressed to function properly. Around 3 million people are injured in car accidents in the United States every year.
Do Some Self Care
It’s easy to forget about self-care when we’re stressed, but this is the time when we need it the most. Do something that makes you feel calm or boosts your confidence. These can be simple things like taking a shower, brushing your teeth, or going for a run. Sometimes self-care is doing the hard things like pushing yourself to meet a deadline, or even just to get up and out of bed some days, but other times self-care means curling up on the couch with a good book or your favorite show.
Approximately a third of all Americans are unhappy with their smile, but you can do small things to improve how you feel about yours. Whitening your teeth is a simple but goal-directed activity that can help you feel a little more in control of yourself and your environment.
Look Around Your House
Sometimes a change is as good as a rest. A new interior or exterior design may be just what you need to stop feeling stressed out and stuck. When our brains get very used to certain environments, it can lead to feelings of boredom and restlessness. Changing up your environment, even in subtle ways like sitting somewhere else in a room, or taking the time to light a candle, can do wonders for your stress levels.
In the past, oil-based paints were considered the standard for all exterior projects, but these days the superior performance is actually coming from water-based paints. If you’re the sort who needs to move and do something when you feel stressed, taking on a painting project may be just the solution you need.
In the end, stress is unavoidable. And that might be a good thing. Without any stress, there wouldn’t be any adventure. Too much stress however can really wear you down and make you tired. Do what you can to manage your daily stress as well as you can. Schedule things in advance and keep the planner or calendar where you can easily see it and get to it.
Try not to let things pile up if you can help it, and remember that you’re just as important as everyone else who you’re trying to help, and some of that care should be going to you too. Sometimes though, you just need to knock your brain out of gear and take your mind off of things for a while.
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