How to Make Time for Stress Relief
Get to work, do your job, get home, leave again to run errands, return home, get the chores done, get the kids to bed, get started on what you need to have done tomorrow – don’t we ever get a break? Today’s world has become one of fast-paced flying around. One minute we’re working and the next we’re running errands or bringing our children from one location to another for some reason or other. With all of this running around it’s no wonder that more and more people are visiting their doctor with conditions that are caused, or aggravated, by stress. We all know that we have to de-stress, but with all that we have to do, the idea of trying to make time to de-stress actually adds more stress!
First of all, stop and breathe. The world is not going to end if you stop in your tracks and breathe once in awhile. This is actually a good way to de-stress during the day. If you’re having a long day, and who doesn’t have a long day most days, stop in the middle of it. Close your eyes and breathe slowly. Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Repeat this as many times as you need to. You should start to feel your shoulders drop and your body become much more relaxed.
It’s also important to carve out some “me” time during the week, no matter how hectic your schedule may be. Pick a day that is less busy than the rest. Then pick the time that you can de-stress at easiest. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is, whether it’s in the morning or in the evening. Once you’ve picked the day and the time, make sure you block at least an hour to de-stress. Then do something that you enjoy doing that relaxes you. It can be anything from having a long soak in the tub to painting a picture on a piece of canvas. Do whatever it is that makes you feel relaxed and that you enjoy doing, and forget about the rest of the world for just that hour. Make this a routine and you’ll soon find that you’re able to handle the stress that comes your way much better, because you know that you’ll have your own time to get rid of all of the stress that you get dealt.
