Being alive can be stressful. You have so many things to worry about in life, it can all get a little overwhelming. You have your career to focus on, your relationships, health issues, and financial security. Not to mention all the fear mongering in the news about global pandemics, wars, and environmental collapse.
Sometimes you just need to take a break from it all and find a way to destress. Making time to relax and indulge in self care is important. If you don’t prioritize yourself, you risk letting stress take over, and your mental health will suffer. Your time away from your worries will give you the strength to recharge and change your perspective. You will come away feeling happier, more confident, and ready to take on the world.
If you are the kind of person who has trouble letting go of your anxiety, here are four ideas for ways you can wind down when stressed.
Spend time in nature
There are few things better for our mental health than time spent enjoying the natural world. Studies have shown that being outdoors can have a huge impact in reducing stress and anxiety. At the end of a hard day’s work, go for an evening walk in your local park or a bike ride to a favorite beauty spot. Go by yourself or take a loved one with you – whatever makes you feel more relaxed. You will return home feeling an increased sense of appreciation for the world, and it will serve as a welcome reminder that it’s not all doom and gloom.
Switch off
It’s impossible to relax when you are constantly plugged into the internet and all the stressful things going on in the world. You need to learn to switch off and spend time away from your phone, news websites, and social media. Set a fixed time to have a mini digital detox every day, in which you switch off your phone and spend time on more wholesome analogue activities.
Have a spa break
One of the best ways to care for your body and your mind is to take a spa break. Getting away to a rural spot in the countryside for a day of pampering and relaxation will do you the world of good. You can spend time alone with your own thoughts enjoying treatments such as massage therapy, pedicures and aromatherapy.
Get active
Just thirty minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per day can have an overwhelming effect on your stress levels. When you make physical activity a habit, you will soon feel stronger, happier, and more confident in yourself. There are so many different forms of exercise that it doesn’t have to be a chore. Just find one that you enjoy and stick with it. It could be running, cycling, hiking, or even something more unusual like rock climbing or kickboxing. The choice is yours.
These are just a few examples of relaxation techniques, but there are many others to choose from. What’s important is that you find the one that works best for you.
