Life happens. And you’re human. So, it makes complete sense that every now and then, we have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. When that happens, try these self care ideas for stress relief.
5 Unique Self Care Ideas for Stress Relief
Making time for self care during stressful times isn’t just a luxury. That stress is your body’s way of asking for some self care. These ideas are great activities to improve mental health.
Take a Personal Time Out
Our culture praises pushing ourselves. But the only voice that matters is the one inside asking you to slow down. So, instead of pushing through the stress and overwhelm, take a moment to pause. Tell your family you need a time out, and then just be with yourself for a minute.
It doesn’t have to be a long time, just long enough to maybe step outside or into another room, and take a few deep breaths, sing a song, move your body, or do anything that will help you reset.
Practice Mindfulness
Quiet your mind and notice where you are; the sounds, sights and smells.
It might be while you’re making some hot tea, hearing the water as it fills the tea pot, water to the click, click, click sound the gas burner or dings of pushing buttons on your machine. You might notice the way the cream and sugar swirl in your tea or coffee.
It could be while you’re doing laundry. The scent of the laundry detergent or churning of the washing machine might grab your attention.
As you get dressed for the day, notice how the fabrics feel on your skin.
This simple habit of noticing your surroundings will bring you back into the moment and make you more aware of your needs.
Listen to Your Body
Our bodies are wonderful communicators, letting us know when we’re hungry, tired, stressed or overworked, so take note and rest, eat, play and relax as your body needs it. A few self care activities can do are:
- Take time to stretch when your muscles feel tight
- Step into the sunlight when you’re feeling tired
- Take a walk to reenergize
Create a Self Care Schedule
As women, we struggle to reconcile the everyday stresses of life with the simpler, calmer lifestyle we crave. But if we make room for it, we can avoid, or at least reduce, overwhelm. Besides, we both know that without a strategy to improve mental health, it won’t happen.
That means actually scheduling play and rest time into your day. Planning your day, using trackers, and keeping lists and memos is a great way to make time for self care.
Get started with this self care challenge that includes thirty-one self-care ideas. Many of them you can do in just five minutes. Perfect for busy women.
Declutter
Physical clutter contributes to mental chaos. I have proven that fact in my life over and over again. Fortunately, this is a stressor we can easily control.
If you need help decluttering, I’ve created a complete guide to decluttering that will walk you through the process, step-by-step.
We also need to declutter our minds. Journaling is my favorite way to do that. Meditating is also a very helpful tool for decluttering your mind. Despite popular belief, you don’t have to stop all your thoughts in order to meditate. Instead meditating allows you to notice your thoughts so your brain can then file them away.
Benefits of Self-Care
We don’t necessarily think of self care and stress as going together, but they really do. Stress lets us know when we need a little self care and self care helps relieve stress. And once you get into a daily self-care routine, the stress won’t be so disarming.
Other benefits of practicing self-care include:
- tending to your mind, body and soul
- living according to your values and priorities in life
- expressing what you believe about yourself and others
- countering a culture that idolizes busyness and stress
- implementing healthy boundaries
- giving your best
- living a life balanced with work, rest and play
All of these acts of kindness toward yourself fill your cup and allow you to shine your brightest.
Julieschoolmo says
Loved reading this this morning~
Beautiful thoughts couldn’t have been expressed any better~
I’m in the midst of the same season of life~ No matter how good a moment is, there is always underlying anxiety about the million other things I feel victim to~
It’s a minute by minute process some days just to calm my spirit~ God is near and this thought is what gets me through, plus great friends and a family whom I love dearly~
Thanks for your message today, Sharon~ You are among friends~
Mrs. Hines says
Yes! I experience more peace when I focus on Jesus and not the circumstances, too. I am glad to know I’m in the company of a friend on this journey!
Tami Michel says
Great reminders Sharon. Slowing down is really important! I’ve missed talking with you, let’s try to get together again soon.
~Tami
Mrs. Hines says
I was just thinking about you! Yes, I’d love to get together.