Stressed? Check Out These De-Stress Hacks for Instant Relief!

The new year has started, which can often be a very busy time for some people. So, if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed, take a look at some of my best tips and give them a go!

1. Have a bath: So relaxing just soaking in the hot water. Can accompany this with some calming music to close your eyes to, watch a TV show or, my personal favourite, read my book.

2. Get off social media: Have a social media detox, whether it is for 1 hour of 24 hours. Social media creates unrealistically high standards and can be pretty bad for your mental health. If you find you are constantly comparing yourself to everyone else’s life, then either unfollow or remove yourself from the situation/ get off social media. Switching off you phone can also be a great way to be more productive! You will get more work done if you aren’t constantly being distracted by the ‘ding’ of your phone every 5 seconds.

3. Change your environment: Get outside, away from your desk or out of your room! Go someone else to clear your mind. Sometimes a different environment can give you a different perspective. Not to mention, sitting at your desk all day makes your body really stiff, and also, especially for me personally, makes me very grumpy.

4. Clean up your area: Maybe you’re stressed because your area is a bit of a mess and you can never find anything? Spend some time cleaning up your desk or your room. This can really clear your mind. Clean up your room/ desk every night, for just 5 minutes. Then the next day when you go to use that area, it is all ready to go. Nice and clean and neat and you can find everything you need.

5. Meditate/ Deep Breathing: Meditating, even for 5-10 minutes can be very calming. Even taking a few deep breaths can slow your heart rate. It can be done anywhere and for however long you need until you become more relaxed.

6. Go for a walk: Clear your mind and get some exercise. You can listen to music or a podcast to completely distract yourself. Breathe in the fresh air, get your blood pumping and your steps up.

7. Stretch: Release those muscles!

8. Sweat sesh: Exercises can release whatever stress your muscles are holding.

9. Catch up with a friend: Friends can always take your mind off things. You can laugh or have a serious chat about what’s stressing you. You can just get everything off your chest. And a friend can be someone completely objective, and can tell you exactly what you need to hear, maybe not what you’d like to hear but what you need to hear.

10. Cook yourself a healthy meal: Maybe you need a little bit of health in you? Consume some great ingredients that are super beneficial to your body. Sometimes if you are stressed, your body can feel a bit off or bloated, and this can completely change your mood. If you eat healthy, this can give you more energy and help you feel a bit more like yourself. If you feel good, your mind is clearer and you can solve more problems, you’re more motivated and can be less stressed.

11. Cook something unhealthy: However, sometimes health just doesn’t do it. Sometimes you just need to have something super chocolately, sugary and just completely tap into your comfort foods. That is nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes there is nothing better than getting into a warm bed with some junk food and a move after a stressful day.

12. Take a step back and look at the bigger picture: Sometimes we get so far into our own heads that we are not actually thinking of the bigger picture. Don’t get caught up in one aspect of your life when it is really only a small part.

13. Watch a funny TV show/ movie: Make yourself laugh. Instantly can change your mood.

14. Do something you love: Whether this is running, drawing, journaling or even napping. Spend some time on yourself. Do something you love. There is no way you can’t be put in a better mood by doing something you actually enjoy.

15. Read a book: Completely immerse yourself in someone else’s story. You can be reading away and get completely distracted of the time

16. Make a to do list: Making a to do list and sectioning off tasks can be really useful. Write down absolutely everything that needs to be done. Physically seeing everything you have to do in front of you can give you a better idea of the bigger picture. What is most important? What is pressing? As you work through your tasks, you can tick them off. Ticking them off can also be very motivating.

17. Have a massive vent: This may help you realise that what you’re stressing about isn’t even a big deal to begin with because saying it out loud makes it seem less scary. Or, if you talk it through with someone, they might give you a different perspective or strategy that you could then try.

18. Journal: Write down any thoughts, no matter what they are. Just write down what has happened today, how you are feeling, what you hope to achieve, future plans etc. Get everything onto paper or write it in a word document. You can become more aware of your emotions and commons themes in your life. You can then talk yourself through it and plan out how you are going to overcome these feelings and keep progressing.

19. Write a gratitude list: Write down everything you feel grateful for. This can really ground you and remind you that no matter how bad or difficult your life feels, there is always someone who has it worse off. This also helps you to ultimately focus on all the good rather than the bad.

20. Spend time with family: This can be a great distraction. Family game/ movie night can be a great way to forget all of your stresses.

It's so important that if you are feeling stressed, you take some actionable steps towards self-care. You’ll have a cleared mindset, make you more focused and get you back to working efficiently!