Stress Less: Tips for keeping stress at bay
Heya!
So I am really not a stress-y person, so when I feel my heart start racing or I start feeling overwhelmed by everything, I start freaking out a bit. So, in my stress trying to juggle school/work/italian exchange students over the past couple of weeks, these are the things that I found really helped me out in staying cool, calm and collected.
1. Make lists
If all the stuff you have to do is feeling overwhelming, a great way of setting it all out for yourself is to make lists. I do this all the time with my study and with general tasks and jobs that I have to complete. Rather than give yourself specific times to do certain things, make a realistic list of things you can get done in a day or within a certain period of time and work your way through it. Not only does this keep you organised and on track, it's also really satisfying to put a big tick next to each task!
2. Take off the pressure
We all put a lot of pressure on ourselves to do anything and everything, but this is never realistic! Rather than aiming to do everything, set your sights on just doing something; you will start to get stuff done and be able to remain calmer during the process.
3. Work (it) out
Exercise is an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G form of stress relief, so long as you find the right form. I find that yoga is great a lot of the time as it's brilliant for calming the body and the mind, but if I'm super stressed yoga sometimes allows my mind to wonder and perhaps even stress more. In times like these I find more physically challenging and team/group orientated activities can help, such as a Boot Camp or a Netball team or, for me, ballet and dance.
4. Phone a friend
Often we think that no body could really understand our problems, but that's hardly ever true! Confide in a friend or family member or teacher or colleague, someone who can listen. It can really help you let off some steam if you get what you're feeling off your chest. If you really don't wanna talk to someone, try writing down what you're feeling, what caused you to feel this way and what you can do to help calm yourself down.
5. Let it out
Cry, man. Cry. Let. That. Shit. Go. Honestly, I cry so much people must think I'm crazy. But really, I don't think there is anything wrong with shedding a few tears. For me it helps to acknowledge that yeah, I'm kinda freaking out about how much stuff I have to do right now, but I'll be ready to move on once I've had this little moment to myself. Sometimes it can really feel relieving to admit to yourself that you're having a tough time.
6. Ditch the unnecessary stuff
If you're running around like a headless chicken trying to do every single thing possible, there's no way you're going to get it all done and keep your mental health intact. So prioritise. If something can wait till tomorrow, next week, or next month, don't do it now. If something is not totally important, ditch it and move on. Don't overload yourself.
7. Breathe
Aaaah the oldest trick in the book. Breathe. Take a moment to yourself. Calm yourself down. Get your head together. Take three loooooong breaths and allow yourself to release all the tightness in your body and your mind.
8. Catch some Zs
Sleep. It's sooo important for a happy, healthy, productive life. However much stuff you have to do, staying up late to do it is not gonna help ya! In fact, go to bed earlier than usual and wake up energised and refreshed for another productive day. If you're so stressed that you're struggling to get to sleep, try some chamomile tea and my yoga poses for before bed.
So, I hope you find this useful and can find a way to ease your mind! Stress less my friend!
Namaste,
Mia x
