On Monday, I was reminded to take care of myself by one of the sweetest guys on the face of the earth. Of course, I quickly reminded him that I take great care of myself and can handle it all on my own, but with that mess of confidence I thought it would be nice to share some ways I decompress and peel the stress off when I am feeling ready to implode.
Bath Time
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Many times the day has been too much for me, I run a bath and sink into the bubbles for instant relief. There is something about lighting a candle and lightly boiling your body that gives you that feeling of being hugged. Now, if you don’t like hugs, like me, it might make you feel like the feeling right as someone STOPS hugging you. A gentle release and great relief.
Nap Time
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More often than not, the reason I’m so stressed to begin with is my lack of sleep. So, nap time is the answer. I don’t always have the expendable time to put aside for a nap, but even if it’s an earlier bedtime than usual, I wake up feeling so much better. This tip is probably the most universal stress reliever of them all. Everyone can benefit from better sleep.
Spa Day
This one is great for the weekend. I’ve grown from a super tomboy kid into a woman who LOVES to feel girly. I like to deep condition my hair, paint my nails, and just treat my body like I’m a model about about to head out onto the catwalk. It’s relieving and encouraging, especially for someone who struggles with their weight and body image. I am always on a budget, so I diy my spa days at home. The spa is not reserved for those who have the money or make it their life’s work. It’s for me and you.
Spring Cleaning
This one might surprise people, but I love to distract myself by cleaning the house. This is mostly a way to exhaust myself while simultaneously being productive so that I can sink into the couch and look upon a sparkling living room. It really does feel peaceful to have organized and scrubbed those areas of your space that annoy the crap out of you. This ties into my perspective on minimalism and self sufficiency. It feels so good to clean up sometimes.
Running
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This is one I don’t actually put into practice unless I’m really REALLY down. Running and any other type of exercise can really get me to refocus. I have the time to think just enough to clear everything out of my head, but not enough to spiral any more than I already have. When your body is expelling energy while exercising, it’s almost as if you’ve given every part of you a job to do, so you can’t dwell on whatever it is making you upset. You literally run it off.
There are a ton more things that pick me up and get me going after being in a rut, like crocheting! But, these routines are an easy way for just about anyone to do something right now to practice some self care.
This post comes from a place of self reflection as my family mourns the death of someone who was way too young and is way too loved. I want to make sure no one feels as though these tips are a cure for any affliction or a means to ignore the deeper mental health issues that many of us combat every day. In my experience, these little things help me to refocus so that I can better seek help and healing in the ways that work for me. If you are struggling with something more serious or need resources to help you work through something difficult, start by clicking here.