6 Ways to Destress When You Feel Overwhelmed
It’s safe to say stress affects nearly everyone at some point in their lives. From traffic-filled commutes to impending deadlines to relational dynamics, we encounter stress in many different forms and from many different sources. While keeping stress under control can be challenging, it’s by no means impossible. Take a second, and check out these six ways to destress when you’re feeling overwhelmed or exhausted by it all.
1. Meditate
When thinking about how to destress your life, meditation may be one of the first things you consider. That’s because mindfulness and meditation have been utilized for centuries to release negative thoughts and grow more aware of the present. By taking a moment to quiet your mind and practice intentional breathing, you might be surprised by just how naturally your stress will melt away. Not sure where to begin? Download a meditation app to help you get started!
2. Engage your senses
A great way to break from whatever feels stressful is to engage yourself in a sensory experience. This could include taking a long shower (touch), eating comfort food (taste), lighting a scented candle (smell), listening to soft music (hearing), or watching a funny show or movie (sight). These activities are effective at helping you forget about what’s going on in the peripheral and enjoying what’s happening right in front of you.
3. Get outside
Fresh air and a change of scenery are wonderful remedies for times when you’re feeling a bit too overwhelmed. Take a stroll around the neighborhood, hop on your bike for a quick ride, or find a nice spot to soak up the sunshine. However you choose to spend your time, being outdoors can help calm your mind and refresh your spirit whenever life feels heavy.
4. Move your body
Exercise is one of the best ways to destress, as it releases endorphins and lifts your mood. So, why not put on some upbeat music and take a twenty-minute dance break? Or what about some gentle stretching to relieve tension, or a few jumping jacks to elevate your heart rate? How you move your body is totally up to you, but you’re sure to shake off a bit of that unwanted stress in the process.
5. Explore your creativity
One of the most fun destressing tips on our list is exploring your creative side. Diving into a creative pursuit like baking, calligraphy, or even gardening can alleviate stress by giving you something more enjoyable to focus on.
Likewise, painting is a great way to loosen up and tap into your artistic potential! Painting with a Twist is now offering Zen Collection painting events. This collection incorporates soothing music, meditation exercises, and calming paintings for the ultimate stress-free experience. Whether you take up photography, design a space in your home, or seek other creative outlets to unwind, finding your own version of zen is essential to your mental health and wellbeing.
6. Express your feelings
Have you ever kept a journal to record your thoughts? Putting our emotions on paper can be incredibly therapeutic, as it’s one of the things to do to destress that can help us process everything we’re experiencing. Releasing our thoughts is truly liberating because it not only frees up our headspace, but it gives us permission to no longer carry around those feelings.
While there are many more things you can do to help you destress, this list can be a good place for you to get started. From exploring the great outdoors to learning a new recipe to keeping a journal, there are countless ways to say goodbye to our stress. And if you’re in the mood to activate your imagination, you can always try painting at home! When you join a Twist at Home painting event, all the materials and instructions you’ll need will be provided, so you can concentrate on creating your very own work of art from the comfort of your own relaxing home environment.