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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
5 Signs You Are Emotionally Stressed
Life is stressful. Stress can come from all different areas in our lives. Sometimes just saying the word stress can induce that feeling of burden and anxiety. We stress over finances and health, and family and relationships. Not to mention all the in between stresses of “how will I ever be able to do this or that?.
All stress is not a bad thing. Stress can actually be a good motivator to get things done and accomplish more. The problem comes when our stress levels spiral out of control and we feel completely unable to manage the stress.
It is important to recognize when you are emotionally stressed in order to get it under control.
5 Signs You Are Emotionally Stressed
Difficulty Sleeping
Stress can cause difficulty sleeping for several reasons. When you are stressed about something, thoughts of that concern or issue is always on your mind. It can feel almost impossible to shut those thoughts off and relax enough to be able to fall asleep.
Change In Eating Habits
Many people eat their feelings. When stressed you may find that you go for comfort food, which is usually foods that are high is sugar and fat. So not only are you still stressed, but also riddled with guilt over the pint of ice cream you just ate.
For others, when they are stressed they lose their appetite. Some people find themselves unable to eat or even thinking about eating when they feel stressed.
Overly Emotional
It doesn’t take much to make a person who is emotionally stressed to flip out and go to tears. Stress brings our emotions right to the surface, and can affect our ability to think rationally and control our emotions.
When feeling overly emotional it is best to avoid people, until you feel like you have a handle on your thoughts and feelings. Otherwise you may be filled with regret for your hurtful words or behavior.
Feeling Tired
Being stressed is both physically and emotionally draining. Not to mention that your sleep is negatively impacted when you are stressed out.
When feeling emotional stressed you may have feelings of low energy, and like you are dragging around a ten pound ball behind you.
Your Body Hurts
Stress will manifest itself physically. Stress can cause back pain, neck pain, and even heart palpitations. Headaches are very common during times of stress. Extreme stress can make you feel like you are having a heart attack and raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels.
5 Ways To Manage Your Stress
There will always be some element of stress in your life. That should be expected. But there are some simple things you can do help keep your stress at manageable levels.
Meditate
Go For A Walk
Exercise
Focus On Your Hobbies
Journal
The best thing you can do for yourself is find healthy outlets for your stress. For you that may mean making changes to your personal or professional life. Or it could mean seeking counseling or confiding in a friend. Just remember that you do not have to go it alone.
What are your thoughts on emotional stress? How do you cope when feeling overwhelmed? Please share your thoughts!
“If you don't think your anxiety, depression, sadness and stress impact your physical health, think again. All of these emotions trigger chemical reactions in your body, which can lead to inflammation and a weakened immune system. Learn how to cope, sweet friend. There will always be dark days. “- Kris Carr
Home Spa...Simple Tricks To Creating A Spa-Like Environment At Home
When was the last time you enjoyed a spa day? It can be hard to find the time, or the money to treat yourself as often as you deserve. Life can be stressful at times, which is why it is so important to find ways to manage that stress.
There are many ways to relieve stress. Exercise is a great stress reliever. Sex is also a great stress reliever. But some days a girl, or guy, just wants to be pampered.
When I want to be pampered I head to the spa. I get a nice massage, deep tissue for me, which is exquisite pain. I do a nice soak, or mud bath, and then I end with a facial. Unfortunately, this can take all day, and beauty and pampering don't come cheap. So I try to create a spa-like environment whenever I get the chance at home.
This blog is all about turning your home bathroom into a spa like environment and relaxing.
There are some key ingredients needed, and then there are some optional items as well.
Lavender Oil
Epson or Sea Salt
Candles
iPhone for Spa Music
Foaming Bath Soak
Eye Mask, Cooled
Soft Sheet Towel
Terry Cloth Robe (optional)
Glass of Wine (highly recommended)
Run a warm bath, as warm as you can stand it. Add a cap full of bath soak, 3-4 drops of lavender, and 1 cup of epson salt. Light your favorite candles, turn on Pandora, and turn off the lights. Don’t forget your mask once you enter your soak.
I also recommend making the small investment of purchasing a paraffin bath for soothing, and smoothing aching hands and feet. As well as getting hot rocks to massage your legs, shoulders, and arms. You can find YouTube videos on giving yourself hot rock massages.
There is nothing better than making your home an amazing retreat, or having a staycation. Sometimes it's not about the destination, or getting away. Sometimes it's just about finding the time to relax, unwind, and spend time alone, or spend time with that special someone. If you are with your partner pamper each other.
What do you do when you can't find the time, or the money to go to the spa for a nice facial, or massage? Do you do it yourself, or go without? Please share your advice or experience!
Confessions Of An Insomniac...No Cure, But A Plan
I confess I am an insomniac. I am used to having trouble falling asleep, and staying asleep. This is my norm. But this past week has been extreme even for me. I am surviving on 2-3 hours a night of interrupted sleep, and really starting to feel unfocused, unmotivated, and unable to gather my thoughts. Surprisingly I am not irritable. Maybe because I am actually too tired to be annoyed, or mad at anyone right now.
Iphone 8
Tonight I am determined to get at least 6 hours of sleep. As an insomniac I know all about sleep hygiene. My doctor has lectured, I mean informed, me that I shouldn't have my iPhone, my iPad, or my laptop near my bed, which of course they all are. But in my defense, the phone is on night mode at 9pm, and I am off the iPad early, and I put my Macbook away no later than 9pm every night as well. I have done the research, and there are literally hundreds of suggestions on the Internet on how to fall asleep, and how to get back to sleep when you wake up. Honestly some of the suggestions are downright bizarre, and I will not be attempting those. One suggestion I will be utilizing is the bedtime alarm clock on my iPhone. You tell it when you want to go to bed, and when you to get up, and it will give you notice that it is time to go to bed. It also wakes you up of course.
I guess the most important factor in poor sleep is identifying the root cause. Like I said, I have always struggled with sleep, but this week is extreme. Am I suffering from some sort of anxiety? I don't think so. Am I stressed? Well no more stress than usual, but with my fuzzy thoughts right now, it's hard to do any real analysis. Once I get some rest I can possibly figure out what caused the disruption.
Okay, so here's the plan. I am starting off with a warm bath with lavender oil, candles lit, and old school Sia playing. If I can't get relaxed from that I am doomed. After the bath all electronic devices go off, and dimmer goes off on the nightstand clock. I will take some melatonin, which is a natural hormone that the body produces that helps control your internal clock. I am going to place a small towel under my pillow with a few drops of lavender oil and 1 drop of eucalyptus oil on it. Next, I am going to lower the temperature in my home by a few degrees. Lastly, I am going to crawl into bed, and focus on clearing my thoughts. Sounds like a good plan, right? Wish me luck...
Are you an insomniac? What do you when insomnia strikes?
Massages...Do You Have A Gender Preference For Your Masseuse?
I love getting massages. They are relaxing and therapeutic. I get a massage as often as I can, which is still not frequent enough. While planning an upcoming spa trip, which includes a massage, the topic came up of gender preference for the masseuse.
Personally, I prefer a female masseuse and I will explain why. I have had massages with males in the past, and with a couple of them I became uncomfortable because their hands seemed to be trying to slowly head towards areas that most definitely did not need massaging. I know there are plenty of male and female masseuses that are professional and appropriate, but after those questionable experiences, why would I make myself uncomfortable when the goal is to relax?
I asked men and women in my life if they had a gender preference and the responses were mixed. Most of the males felt they might feel more comfortable with a female masseuse, but also felt they might choose a male if they wanted a massage with more intense pressure. Some of the ladies did not have a preference, but said they always seemed to be paired with females. One also said she had an experience similar to mine, with the uncomfortably massage with a male masseuse. Sorry guys but I'll pass on the opposite sex massage services.
During a massage, you are alone in a room with a stranger, and you are only wearing a towel, and maybe panties. It is very important to feel safe and comfortable with the experience. Of course, a funny thought always comes to mind when I see a woman come out of a massage with a male masseuse, and that is Sex and the City. I will not say what happens, but check out the very talented, and beloved masseuse in episode "Attack of the Five Foot Ten Woman". All I can say is what the what! HI-larious!
In all seriousness, with recent news events, I highly recommend you choose very carefully where, and with whom you get a massage.
Vivid Dreams...Why Do We Have Them?
I have always dreamed a lot. I suppose many people do. But lately my dreams are more vivid, more frequent, and very memorable.
I am notoriously a terrible sleeper, so I usually take melatonin, which helps. But with a night full of dreams that run the gambit of happy, sad, scary, and just plan old weird, I am constantly waking up exhausted.
You may be asking, “what exactly is a vivid dream?” Well a vivid dream is a dream that feels almost life like. Vivid dreams feels so real they can be hard to distinguish from reality at times.
Some vivid dreams can seem so real that you wake and can still smell a scent or feel a touch.
So why all the dreaming lately? I think it’s a combination of a new supplement I am taking, and stress. The supplement affect my hormones, which affects sleep, because it affects serotonin.
Also I know taking melatonin could be the culprit, but I have been taking melatonin for a long time to help with my insomnia, so that is not a change.
I think perhaps stress is the biggest contributing factor to my vivid, and somewhat crazy dreams. I go through my days, and through life facing many stressors, like most adults.
We get through our days suppressing the urge not to freak out, or cry, or yell, or generally not overreact to tough or challenging situations. But those suppressed feelings stay there, under the surface.
Common Reasons For Vivid Dreams...
Taking Melatonin (Aha)
Eating Spicy Food Before Bed
Watching Weird TV Before Bed
Stopping or Starting New Medication
Stress and Anxiety
I actually find vivid dreams amazing, but unfortunately having them can leave your body not as rested as it should be after a full night’s sleep. Most vivid dreaming happen during rapid eye movement (REM), which occurs in 90 minute cycles while you sleep.
If I had the choice, I would take vivid dreams over dealing with my stress by road raging, or yelling at my kids, or stuffing my face and eating my feelings. But of course I am not getting enough sleep, so I need to find some balance.
What are your thought on dreaming and vivid dreams? How do you dream? Do you dream vivid? Do you remember your dreams? Please share your thoughts and experience!
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.
My Lazy Saturday...I So Needed It!
Despite it being a Saturday, I was wide awake in the wee hours of the morning. Unable to sleep any longer, I got out of bed and headed down to make coffee. I sat quietly sipping coffee and reading. I always cherish my quiet hours, since most other hours of the day are spent with lots of noise, requests, and questions.
Once the family was up, we decided to go for an early morning swim. The swim was wonderful, and relaxing, but also very exhausting. My energy levels were low even before we went swimming due to lack of sleep.
Plus, I am clean eating all month, and probably need to up my caloric intake. We were done swimming by nine thirty, and then it was time to head out for our usual trip to Trader Joe's. I loaded up on fresh flowers for the house, and some other goodies as well. Last stop of the morning was Jamba Juice, for my favorite Berry Upbeet smoothie. Yum! Then back home for a long nap.
After napping I did a little laundry and packing for an upcoming trip, while I had Bates Motels on in the background on Netflix. I have been binge watching the series, and I am almost caught up to the current season.
Once I wrapped up with packing, I headed out for a short walk with my youngest daughter. Once we returned, I got dinner started, and hung out with my family. After dinner we played Yahtzee and listened to eighties music.
I will end my night with a nice bubble bath, with lavender oil, in hopes of a good night's sleep. My stress levels are very high right now so if I had to guess, I will be back at it early again tomorrow morning with coffee in hand, enjoying the silence. TTFN