Do you feel like you’ve had enough of whatever craziness is going on in the world at the moment? Has pandemic fatigue hit you hard, or is it just regular, normal burnout? Whatever the reason, high-stress levels aren’t something we want to live with for an extended period of time. We all realize there’s no such thing as a stress-free life, but there are some quick wins we can do to make us feel better.
Here are some quick hacks to practice:
Take a walk outside: The best thing you can do when you feel overwhelmed with life is to go for a walk. It will give you time to sort out what’s in your head and reach a conclusion for approaching the whole situation or just accepting reality as it is at the moment. Furthermore, physical activity causes our body to produce endorphins, also known as the feel-good hormone. Find a socially distant place and just start walking.
Meditate: Meditation is a great way to relax and it can affect you immediately. Focus on your breathing and go to your happy place. Inhale for six seconds, hold your breath for seven, and then exhale for eight seconds. Repeat this series a couple of times and it will calm you down and shift your focus away from whatever it is that bothers you. Meditation is all about practice, so go easy on yourself for the first few times. You’ll get there.
Play some music: Another way to mitigate stress is through music. You can listen to some classic tunes or just listen to your favorite artists. Music can be used as catharsis, and it has healing properties. Just put your headphones on and dive in. Check out our Circles playlists on Spotify – we’ve got some tunes to keep you calm.
Get some sleep: Sleep is necessary to recharge our mental batteries and recover our energy. Do you know how all your troubles seem more significant when you’re tired? Exactly. Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night, and make sure to keep your bedroom a screen-free zone.
Cut down on junk food and sugar-filled drinks: Foods and beverages that are highly processed with large amounts of sugar and salt can increase your physical symptoms of stress and badly affect your mood. We’re not saying cut them out of your diet entirely, but try to add more fresh fruits and vegetables to your meals or a healthy protein, and make sure you drink more water during the day.
Practice joy over small milestones: To stay motivated, you need to have a clear overview of your progress. So, if you’re at work or have a difficult personal project, create milestones for it. Every time you complete a milestone, you can treat yourself, and when you know exactly where you are with your tasks, you’ll feel more confident and calm. Remember – focus on small achievements. Even one mission at a time is more than enough. You’ve got this!
Treat yourself: Listen, you’re doing the best you can under some crazy circumstances. Remember to treat yourself with kindness and compassion. Make sure to schedule some me-time into your busy day. It is essential to recharge.
If you feel like stress these days is too much for you to handle alone, join our Circles of Support to get the support you need and to support others going through a similar situation. Our Circles are all led by professionals and are small groups, providing you with a safe place to process your emotions and current events.
