10 Best Ways To Destress and Clear Your Mind

For many people, life feels more stressful now than ever before. The feelings of uncertainty, instability, and vulnerability weigh heavy on many hearts and minds daily, so being able to manage your stress level, and clear your mind to focus and think is a much-needed tool to make it through tough times.

Life is stressful, and while a certain amount of stress is normal and healthy, too much stress can cause serious physical and mental issues.

Unfortunately, there is no magical cure to make all of your problems and worries go away, but there are things you can do to help you cope better.

10 Ways To Destress and Clear Your Mind

Play With A Pet

Animals are wonderful stress relievers. They are loving, and affectionate, and can really be your best friend. If you don’t have a pet, head to the animal shelters and consider giving a home to an animal in need. It’s a win-win decision.

Go For A Walk

Getting outside into the fresh air can do wonders for clearing your head and destressing. The sunshine and vitamin D will almost instantly improve your mood.

Focus On Or Find A Hobby

Hobbies are fun, relaxing, and a great way to spend your free time. Maybe your hobby is bird watching or crocheting, or fixing cars and cooking. Whatever you enjoy doing, dive on in and destress.

Exercise

While walking is technically a form of exercise, you make want to challenge yourself more mentally and physically by doing some cardio and weight training. Hit the gym, or workout at home with free weights, videos, or fitness apps.

Spend Time With Friends

Spend time with people who make things feel lighter and better. Great friends can truly be a lifesaver in times like these. Have your friends over for dinner, or meet up for a hike or drinks.

Take Time For Yourself

Do something just for yourself, whether that means going to the spa or to the gun range. The simple things in life have been missed lately. Going to get your nails done, going to the gym, or just window shopping feel like activities of the past. Normal is different, so allowing yourself the little treats you can is worth it and will help to reduce your stress.

Spend Some Time Alone

While many of us have been in quarantine during the pandemic, we still may not get any alone time. Time alone with our thoughts or time alone with our hobbies. Close the bedroom door or bathroom and give yourself an hour of alone time. You deserve it.

Declutter Your Life

Believe it or not, clutter can make you feel more stressed and unable to focus. Spend a Saturday decluttering your closet, your bedroom, or your kitchen, and you will reap the benefits. Not only are you getting rid of stuff you no longer use or need, but you can also help others in need by donating your stuff.

Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community, give yourself a purpose, and a way to find appreciation for your life. Whether you choose to volunteer at a hospital, at a retirement home, or at a homeless shelter you are likely to come away from your experience less stressed about your own life.

Get More Sleep

Sometimes managing stress is just a simple matter of getting more sleep. Turn off all of the electronics, put on a sleep mask if needed, and get a good night’s rest. When you wake up in the morning, the world and your life will still be the same, but you will have the energy and the focus to face anything that comes your way.

While we cannot control the world around us, we can do our best to manage and control our response in what often feels like chaotic times. Remember, you got this. You will get through this and things will get better.

Are you feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders? What do you do to destress and clear your mind? Please your share experience and advice!

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” - Albert Einstein

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Managing Stress...How Do You Find The Calm When Your World Is Storming?

Life can feel overwhelming at times. I am not talking or thinking about giving up in any way. But sometimes I feel almost unable to catch my breathe. I am keeping a pace right now that is probably unsustainable. Trying to find the work/life balance, and be everything to everyone is draining, and nearly impossible. Have I set myself up for failure? I think so.

I have been called Super Mom, and Super Woman by many people in my life, and I know they truly mean it as a compliment. But I cannot help but feel there is some judgment of me as a mom, as a wife, as friend, even as a woman. That's probably the problem.

I generally could care less what anyone thinks of me, except when it comes to me as a mother. I have chosen to be a working mom, but I always try to ensure that my kids do not feel they are losing out on anything they would get if I were a stay at home mom.

 I rush home from work everyday to make sure dinner is cooked, and we sit down together and eat as a family. Then it's off to dance class, or swim class, or swim practice. You get my point, my kids have a lot of activities. I try to squeeze in a workout at the YMCA during their classes. Then it's home for showers, homework, and prep for the next day.  

Don't get me wrong, my husband helps. Some days it's divide and conquer, as one of us goes with one child to something, while the other tackles the second one.

Plus I try to write every night, and blog a couple times a week. Unfortunately my body is starting to rebel. Migraines have been almost daily, and my insomnia is as bad as it has ever been. Add in a stressful work life, and voila instant stress ball in the neck.

I confided in a friend how stressed I was, and they were really surprised. Apparently I hide it well. Too well perhaps, which is probably not good for me. My friend did a very nice gesture to lighten my mood, and said "this too shall pass", and I know that's true. But the storm still persists, as I strive to find temporary calm.

I have found some calm with reflection on the people in my life. I have people in my life who truly love and appreciate me, and others who do not. I made the decision to remove certain people from my life who I feel do not value or appreciate me.

I also made the decision to open up more, and appreciate the wonderful people in my life. The storm still rages, but I know I can weather it.

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