ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOU DE-STRESS AND RELAX
by Djacinta van der Meulen
Sometimes we get so caught up in day-to-day life, we forget the importance of taking time for ourselves. Remember, you are only human…apologies to any nonhuman, super-intelligent beings, dogs, dolphins, robots who may be reading this…
Stress can affect you in different ways and impact your daily routine and mood.
You’re getting in late to work, been struggling to get to sleep, to wake up. You’re irritable, getting short with your co-workers, your family, traffic. Your eating habits have taken a turn for the worse. And to top it off, you’re starting to feel that tickle in your throat that you just know is going to turn into a cold.
You’re finding yourself so busy and overwhelmed that you just don’t have time…energy…the mindset to do anything.
These are warning signs that you’re not taking care of yourself, that you’re overworking and stressed. And now it’s time to stop and take a breath.
It’s vital to put some time aside for you to de-stress, relax and not think about everything that’s on your to-do list. What may work for you is blocking out an hour - physically in your calendar so you always have this set time aside – for relaxation. This doesn’t have to mean an hour where you do nothing, though that may be an option. Sometimes a simple, stress-free activity will help you find that place of calm.
Here are some activities that can help you de-stress and relax:
Mellow movement: Taking a walk – during your lunch break or after work, stretching or even going for a swim are simple, gentle exercises you can do to help you relax while also stimulating your endorphins. You can also try some muscle and mind relaxing exercises.
Furry friends: It’s a proven fact that animals have calming benefits. Hanging out, petting, playing and cuddling a furry friend gives you warm ‘n’ fuzzies, quite literally.
Cue the tunes: Create a playlist of music that makes you feel calm and relaxed. Sometimes instrumental may work better for you, where you don’t find yourself focusing to the words but the cadence of the instruments. This can also help with sleep.
Trees are green: You don’t have to have a green thumb to enjoy the benefits of being in a lush green garden nor should it come as a surprise that walking among trees has health benefits. Shinrin-yoku or "forest bathing" is a Japanese practice that celebrates the health-improving qualities of the forest. Surrounding yourself with plants has been linked to physical and mental health benefits, including slowing heart rates, improving memory and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Teasing the brain: Getting the brain to focus on something other than work or home issues can help in reducing stress. Brain-teasers like puzzles, crosswords or Sudoku can take your mind away while giving your brain a problem that has a clearer solution.
Sing and dance like no one’s watching: Singing and dancing is a good way to unwind and boost your mood. Whether you have a solo singing session in your lounge room, sing your lungs out in your car or join a dance class, it’s a great activity to de-stress by getting you moving and your brain to change direction.
Salute the sun: The sun can do wonders to boost your mood. Try finding a sunny spot where you can close your eyes, lift your face to the sun and let its warmth kiss you. Take slow, deep calming breaths and let your mind float. Remember to be sun-smart, especially if you’re doing this in the warmer months.
I am grateful for: Maybe a little cheesy, but write down all the things in life that you’re grateful for. This could help put things into perspective and clear your mind while keeping your mind focused on being positive so that you have a better outlook when you face struggles. A practice that may work well for you is saying three things you are grateful for before going to bed.
Remembering the good times: Dust off that old photo album, scroll through those snaps or dig out that scrap book. Looking back at moments you where you were having fun and enjoying something is sure to bring you joy, you can even create new albums. Better still, call someone who was at that event so you can reminisce together.
Pressure points to relieve stress: If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need immediate relief, try acupressure. It’s a self-massage therapy that helps to balance your body’s circulation of fluids and energies. Use your thumb and index finger of your right hand to massage the soft area between the thumb and index finger of your left hand. After two-to-three minutes, switch and repeat. It can also help if you use calming essential oils such as lavender.
H2o: Water is not only great for hydration, but it can help your body feel refreshed. Have a warm bath, take a shower, dive into a pool or take a dip in the ocean; the feel of water on your skin can help in easing tension.
Get creative: Draw, colour, paint, knit, write, cook. Any activity that helps you express your creative flair will ultimately help you relax, and maybe become the next Banksy.
Nanna naps: Sometimes when you’re feeling stressed, the thing you need most is sleep. Weekend nanna naps can do wonders to help you relax. But during the week, if your mind is still going 100 kilometres an hour after you’ve hopped into bed, the most important thing to do is turn your phone off or at least put it on silent and put it face down on your bedside table. Try putting on some calming tunes or listen to a specialised app, then slowly tense and release one muscle in your body at a time. You should soon be able to drift off.
