Unfortunately, stress is a natural state which we will experience at some point in our lives. However, if you do not learn how to manage and cope with stress, it can have huge, negative, health implications
When you do not adequately deal with stress and the symptoms of stress it can cause so many negative impacts on the body such as: high blood pressure, heart problems, depression, anxiety, headaches and many more. This is why you need to make stress management a priority in your life and not ignore these feelings when they arise in your life. As it can lead to it being too overwhelming and interventions are needed.
The good news is that there are many simple habits and activities you can implement in your daily life to keep those stress symptoms and the feelings of stress at bay.
Here are 7 suggestions of activities that you can do at home to de-stress and help you to relax properly:
1. Mindful Colouring
Colouring is a mindful activity that helps you to calm your mind as you are shifting your focus to the design, how it feels when you are holding the pencils or pens and you are thinking about the colours you want to use.
This slower activity then allows you to work through your thoughts and feelings at a slower pace and gives your mind a chance to absorb the thoughts and feelings before tackling any solutions to problems you may be facing.
Colouring has actually been known to induce the same state as meditating by reducing the thoughts of a restless mind. Not only does mindful colouring reduce stress and anxiety, it can also improve your focus, sleep, fine motor skills and vision.
2. Mindful Meditation
Meditating is the act of focusing your mind for a period of time, in silence for the purpose of relaxation.
Meditation can produce a deep state of relaxation because during the act, you are focusing your attention and eliminating thought that may be causing you stress. There have been several clinical studies that have found practising meditation for 40 – 45 minutes per day has huge benefits in reducing stress and anxiety.
Practising meditation has other scientific benefits like:
- Controls anxiety
- Generates kindness
- Enhances self-awareness
- Promotes good, emotional health
There are other methods of mindful living that you can introduce into your daily life that will positively impact your mental well-being such as:
- Mindful Walking – Taking your time when you are on a walk, appreciate the colour, sounds and smells as well as how your body is feeling. With the added benefits on your mental health from the exercise.
- Mindful Colouring – This helps you to relax and help reduce the symptoms of depression.
- Be Present – In the moment with loved ones engage and appreciate your time with others. This will help strengthen good relationships. Building your self-worth and improving your mood.
3. Practise Self-Care
Taking time out to put yourself first is a great way to eliminate tension and stress. Self-care means that you are simply mindful of your own needs, which enables you to maintain your physical, emotional and mental health.
Activities such as: regular good quality sleep, exercise, healthy eating, or relaxation can promote good stress management. Looking after your overall health is vital for practising positive self-care. Adding a supplement such as Morning complete can also be a great way to ensure your body is functioning how it should which will improve your physical and mental health.
Some self-care suggestions could be:
- Have a long bath or shower with a indulgent skincare routine
- Read your favourite book or a self-help or self-development book
- Have a power nap of around 20 minutes to feel more refreshed and focused
- Write in a journal
4. Breathing Exercises
Practising breathing techniques is an activity that can quickly counteract the feelings if stress, tension and anxiety.
There are a variety of breathing exercise that can help you with stress like: square breathing, 4-7-8 method and belly breathing. By learning a few simple breathing techniques you can:
- Lower your heart rate
- Reduce depression
- Lower your blood pressure
- Better manage chronic pain
5. Get Creative
Being creative can take many forms like: gardening, listening to music, dance, painting, knitting, cooking or even baking. Creative activities like gardening or sewing releases dopamine which is a natural anti-depressant. Engaging in activities like the ones mentioned previously can keep your mind busy and but give you a sense of achievement once you have completed the activity. This can improve your self-esteem and lift your mood.
Focusing your mind on a creative activity can also:
- Help you process trauma
- Reduce anxiety
- Reduce depression
- Increase self-awareness
- Help you become a better problem solver
6. Exercise
Exercise in any form can make a very good stress reliever. When you exercise your body, you get a boost of feel good endorphins also known as the happy hormone that can help you to clear your mind and improve your mood.
Exercise can help provide stress relief for your body while imitating effects of stress such as the ‘fight or fight’ response and helps your body to practise dealing with these effects.
Activities can be gentle or intense depending on what you can physically do, but all have positive effects on relieving stress and improving your mental health.
Here are some exercises that you can do at home:
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Hoovering
- Walking in the garden and/or gardening
- Steps on the stairs
- Workout DVD or YouTube video
7. Talk To A Loved One
When you are feeling stressed or going through a stressful situation, talking to a loved one about what is happening and how you are feeling can help you to manage the situation and find solutions to any problems.
Studies have shown that by simply talking about your problems and sharing any negative emotions with someone you trust can actually be profoundly healing, which will relieve stress and strengthen your immune system which will reduce both physical and emotional distress.
Building and strengthening your relationships with loved ones and friends can give you a sense of belonging and purpose, with positive relationships it gives you the confidence to foster the ability to deal with stress.
These are 7 simple activities that you can do at home to help relieve stress and feel more relaxed, practising positive habits like these mentioned can benefit your mental health. Improving your mental health will help you to be able to deal with stress in the future. If you do feel overwhelmed it is important to reach out to a loved one or a healthcare professional.
What activities do you like to do at home to relieve stress? I’d love to hear in the comments.
I nap too but it’s when I can’t handle much more. Great list 🙂
Thank you! I do the same!
I love all of these suggestions! My colouring book is my best friend at the moment x
Oh really? I love colouring it’s so relaxing! Thank you for reading! X
I have the same colouring book! It’s so relaxing but I always lose so much time to it as I lose track of time. I find mindful journaling so helpful to de-stress me. xx
Oh really😊 yeah I can colour for hours! I get so engrossed in it. That sounds good hun xx
Watching late-night comedy is a favorite of mine for de-stressing.
Like stand up? I love watching stand up. That’s a great way to de-stress.
I watch the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and the beginning of both shows is a monologue that’s basically the same as stand up.
Oh cool 😊😊
Definitely watch tv or take a long bath. Great list!
Thanks hun!
These are great suggestions Lauren! 💖 I’m a big fan of napping and yay for The Greatest Showman soundtrack. That always puts me in a good mood! 😄 I think baths are such a nice way to relax and unwind and colouring books are sooo calming. Fab post, thanks for sharing! 😘 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Thank you for reading and commenting 💓 I am obsessed with that film and soundtrack! Love it! Xxx
I love colouring and it is the perfect way to relax xx
I was like that before, now I use it a lot to relax especially if I am feeling anxious
Thank you!
Thank tou
Yeah definitely! Thanks for reading and commenting! Xz
Thank you for reading!
This is a great post! I do a lot of these things but there are a few i could do with trying! Thanks x
Thank you for reading and commenting! X
Such good ideas! I will have to implement these because I have been a bit stressed lately 💕
I hope they help! X
I do pretty much the same type of thing, i really love colouring and listening to music at the same time! I always find myself going for a nap halfway through doing coursework and then going back to it recharged after! Great tips x
Sounds good hun. I love a good nap! X
ahah yepp! x
I also love coloring to reduce stress, great post!
Thank you!
Sounds good!
I hope you manage too x
I love coloring, watching favorite tv shows, and gaming. I find playing video games like Stardew Valley and Minecraft (in peaceful mood) to be relaxing.
Thank you for reading and commenting! Sounds good!
Thank you for reading. I like any excuse for a nap haha
Thank you for reading! Yes I like reading too. What are you currently reading?
I just finished reading The Underground Railroad which was a great read. I would definitely recommend! 🙂
Oooo, may have to put this on my to read list x
It’s a really great book! Won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction last year 🙂
Great post! I always listen to music when I’m stressed – I’ve become obsessed with a Spoitfy playlist called Piano in the Background recently 🙂 xx
Yes I love Spotify! Xx
Aww, I remember those days. Good luck for your A-levels xx
Thank you! X
Sounds like good things to do as well! Xx
Great tips!! Other than listening to music, I love taking nature walk, it’s also good in cooling down
Sounds like good things too!
Napping! Thats my #1 way to de-stress.
Love this post <3
Yes got to love a good nap! Xx
I loved this post!!! I’m currently going through a lot right now and when I feel overwhelmed I either listen to music, watch Netflix or just go on my phone play games or read. I’m a mother of 3 so there’s really not much I can do since I’m always in the house with the kids. But reading this post gave me another idea which is coloring! I love coloring but I didn’t think about it as an option to clear my mind. I’ll definitely grab some coloring books 😊
I find colouring books definitely help. In the evening or anytime I am feeling stressed. Helps focus your mind and relax you! I really hope it helps lovely xx
I like to take my dog down the beach or for a walk in the woods. It’s relaxing and revitalising.
Music and reading and walking outside are big ones for me.
Great things to help and these what I usually do. You always share awesome and hepful tips.
Thank you for reading and commenting. I am glad you liked this post.