Stress is everywhere. There are always going to be outside forces causing stress; family, relationships, work, your physical health, and financial well being, among others. Because there will always be stressors prevalent in your life, it’s important to know how to relieve stress in healthy ways. And there’s no harm in having a little fun, while you’re at it.
Get crafty
Using your hands and being creative will do wonders for your stress levels. Even if you don’t consider yourself a particularly crafty or creative person. Try to get past that, out of your head, and just have fun. Don’t worry about the final product, focus on the experience. Try painting, coloring in an adult coloring book, doing a puzzle, or baking. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, try out a local art class, like pottery, cooking, or sketching. Having a class every week will give you something to look forward to when you’re feeling stressed out.
Bond with your furry friends
Pets are great at helping relieve stress. Take your dog on a walk, play with your cat, or just cuddle with them. If you don’t have a pet, pay a visit to your local shelter and take a few of the pets on walks or play fetch. This will benefit them as well as you. This is another thing that you could look forward to doing every single week.
Get outside
Fresh air always feels great, and will help you clear your mind. Whether you decide to take a light walk in the evening after work, sit on your porch and read a book, or you watch the sunset with a friend, just try to spend a little bit of time outside each day. This will help you take your mind off of the things that are stressing you out.
Get away
Going on vacation isn’t possible every single week, unfortunately. But if you can plan vacations, even if it’s just a short weekend away to a neighboring town, the anticipation and planning for the trip will help relieve stress as well. It will give you something to look forward to when you’re having a hard day or feeling down.
Serve someone else
Although this may seem a little strange, focusing on someone other than yourself is a great way to relieve stress. By putting your energy towards something new, you’ll find yourself thinking about things other than what’s stressing you out.