The importance of being able to relieve stress in 2021 is higher than its ever been. We are surrounded by negative news, awful situations and of course the pandemic. This past year has taken such a toll on so many peoples mental health that I think a welcomed break from the stress of it all is really needed. Stress can really take a toll, not only on your mind but your body too. I think people forget how powerful the mind is, and how important it is to make sure you are looking after yourself mentally and physically, in all aspects.
I love how so many people have various ways that they like to relieve stress. Some go on holidays, some take time off from the regular routine and some even seek adventure and doing something crazy. In todays post I want to share the five ways that I like to do to relieve stress. And I would love to hear your remedies for getting through those stressful periods of life too!
EXERCISING
If you have been following along on my new lifestyle journey, you’ll know that I have really fallen in love with exercising. And if you knew me before I did exercising, you wont believe I am even saying this. Before I got back into it, I probably hadn’t done exercise for 3-4 years. Which I know, is crazy. I went for walks and did the bare minimum but nothing like I am doing now.
Ever since I started exercising, I don’t know what I ever did before. It really has helped so much with my mental health. On my rest days, I almost don’t know what to do with myself and feel lost when I have nothing to do to fill my time. Not only is exercise good for your body, it works wonders on helping to heal your mind. There have been days where I have been so anxious and stressed that I didn’t want to workout, but after I did I had a whole new perspective on things.
If you’re not much of an exerciser, there are smaller things you can do that will help. Like going on longer walks, or maybe doing shorter burst of exercise. There really is something for everyone.
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PLAYING GAMES
Something I have really enjoyed since I was a young child is playing games. I remember my very first game which was the Sims 1 on the playstation 1. It made me fall in love with the game, and I haven’t stopped playing it since. Gaming really is such a great stress reliever for me. It just allows me to get sunk into and immersed into a game. It works as a great way to escape from normal life, and be fully in a new world.
Plays.org is a great website that I love to use to explore and find new games to get stuck into. As I am a fan of PC games, I was so excited to find this website and find out how many hundreds of free games they have for everyone. Did I mention they are completely free?! How cool is that. As I am such a fan of simulation games, of course thats where I spend most of my time on the site. One of my favourites is the open restaurant simulation game. Its a tough task to get through as the time goes on, but I love how you have to serve, seat and clean up after all of your customers. Such a fun touch. One of my other favourites (which is of course a simulation game) is called flight sim. It’s a game where you have control over an airport and you have to make sure you select runways and landings for different aircrafts. It’s such a simple game but I really love the challenge and logistics that go into it.
Gaming has helped me so much on many occasions to relieve stress. Just to spend a few minutes or even hours, in a game can really turn my day around.
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TAKING TIME OFF
A no brainer for this one is taking time off. Alot of the time my stress happens when I try to do too much. Back when I was still posting 5-6 times a week on my blog, running my Etsy business and doing social media for both. I became so overwhelmed with it all that something had to give. I decided it was time to take time off from it all.
It’s so funny though, how bloggers especially get so worried about taking time off. We seem to have this mindset that everything will fall apart when we come back and we will be forgotten about. Which obviously is not true. Just like any other job, you need time off. And blogging is no different. Taking time away from something, even if it’s something you love is really beneficial. It can help so much to re-set your thinking and help to bring your positive attitude back.
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TALKING TO OTHERS
Surrounding yourself with the right people can be so beneficial when it comes to stress relief. Having a support system around you, ready and there for you whenever you need them is so priceless. Whenever I am feeling stressed or overwhelmed I always seek to speak with those I have in my life. Whether its my parents or my closest friends.
When I was younger I had no idea how important the people I have around me would be. I had so many friends, but none of them I felt I could really call on if I needed something. And now, I have less friends but they are quality friends. They’re more like family to me. I know I can count on them any time or day. And I know they will be there for me.
Sometimes you just need that person to put things into perspective for you, and to help and support you. Alot of time (especially for me) I overthink. So speaking to someone and getting it out in the open, makes me realise how ridiculous I am being, and it helps so much.
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How do you relieve stress? Do you enjoy playing games? What are some of your favourite stress relievers?
Remember to do whatever you can to relieve your own stress. You have the power to reduce it and make it better. You got this.
Olivia x
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Enjoy your stress free weekend. We should all take some examples from you. They are great.
Thanks!
Exercising and taking time off are my ways of relieving stress. That was a lovely post, Olivia. 💕
Thanks so much!
I watch some YouTube videos or I just watch some Webseries on Netflix to relax.
Awesome post ❤️
Thats awesome!
I eat and eat junk specifically to relieve stress. Yeah, it’s bade and unhealthy but nonetheless makes me feel better.
As long as its In moderation I don’t see anything wrong with that!
Exercising , art work and talking to others.
Very powerful stress relieving routines
Lovely!
100% agree. And every single time I drop off exercising then return to it I wonder why I ever stopped cause it feels OHHHH SOOOOOO GOOOOOD!!!
It really does!!
Watching a good movie and a beer 😀
Sounds fun!
Talking on Clubhouse has helped me a LOT! ❤️🦋🌀〰️
I havent tried that yet!
I love it! It’s sooo IN THE MOMENT! ❤️🦋🌀〰️🙏☯️
Taking a salt bath helps me, playing games, or watching a good comedy or animated movie. Great post! Much love and light to you ✨
Lovely!
True…the pandemic has added stress in an already loaded life …..one got to find ways to keep the mind creatively occupied and keep the stress under control…there are multi ways of keeping the stress away …the main aim being to break the routine … vacation, gaming, exercising, writing, interacting, indulging in a hobby .
Stay blessed 🙏😇
A lovely list of stress free activities!
Yoga, riding my bike, mandala dot painting, working in my garden, decluttering, and writing for my blog are some ways I relieve stress. I incorporate at least one of my favorite activities into each day, so my stress levels stay low. It has helped me keep my cool when something stressful does pop up.
Lovely!
Overthinker. Guilty. Over-worker. Guilty as charged. Those two thinks are the cause of some serious stress in my life and I have had to learn to step back and pause. Some of the ways that I relieve my stress are yoga, going outside in nature and sunlight, reading, watching anime and consuming YouTube videos.
Such a great list! Thanks for sharing
taking time off and talking to a friend …. these are proven ways for me to calm down 😁
For sure!
yes♥️
Taking time off also helps me relieve stress, if I don’t take time off then I will just burnout!
You and me both!
Exercise, walks outside, yoga and reading are all some of the ways I manage stress!! And taking some time away from the screen too!
Lovely things!
Great tips Olivia! I like to relive stress by taking a hot shower, playing with my kitties, eating comfort food, and listening to music 😀
Thanks for reading! Music is so important!
Yoga, hot bath, long walks and reading all help me to de-stress ❤️
I really need to try yoga!
Exercise is tops! My husband is a gamer, so I can see why playing would be a great stress reliever. As for speaking to people, before the pandemic I wouldn’t have agreed as much as I do now. Humans are social beings and we need each other to stay sane!
Beautiful post here Friend. Through the hustle and bustle of life and the desire to do everything, we end up wearing ourselves out. For stress, I recommend a few things. First, start by putting God first, and begin your day with a prayer to God and a heart for God. God is able to orchestrate several things and he can use divine assistance to make our day easier. Second, we need to treat our body like a temple. Energy giving foods are a great resource. Thirdly, we need to take little breaks every now and then to refresh.
The most important of these is God. When things get tough, we can always reach out to him for help.
The Bible says in Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”.
God says in Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.
If anyone reading is interested in building a relationship with God, I have a post on that here: https://christcenteredruminations.wordpress.com/2018/08/29/how-to-build-a-relationship-with-god/
There is much more to know about God. I post frequently on my blog about topics related to God. You are welcome to follow my blog to keep up with my content.
-All the best. May God bless you.
nice post
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