We have been incredibly slammed at work since we returned from our trip out west. What a stress-filled couple of weeks! With not much rest on our side and a mountain of work to climb out of, it’s been hard to take a moment to breathe and reflect.
Checking In
I’m a big believer in being in tune with yourself. In doing so, you become aware of boundaries, wants vs. needs, and areas of stress. Listening to your body will help you refocus energy to feel more balanced and ready to take on the day. Are you tired? Are you hungry? Do you feel restless? It’s important to identify how you feel so that you can create a plan of action.
Prioritize
Some people are perfectly fine working 80 hours a week. To be honest, Brian and I could very well be part of that group, as we sometimes work up to 15 hours a day. However, we have learned that we would prefer NOT to spend our time working this much, as we would rather use our time in other ways. For us, we struggle with prioritizing down time when we are super busy with work.
We are learning to balance busy work days with down time, but it definitely takes serious conscious effort and practice. On the days that we stare at a computer screen for hours on end, a 10-minute mental break seems hard to come by. I know, I know…we should prioritize at least a few brief moments to decompress and then get back to it! Whether you’re overwhelmed with stress, need to fuel your body, or losing steam because you haven’t slept, it’s important to check in and prioritize your needs.
Making a Change
Isn’t it wild to know that one decision could change your entire life? I find that it’s comforting AND exciting at the same time. If you are able to change the situation that is causing stress and negativity in your life, then do it! Big or small, you might as well “trial-and-error” your way to living your best life. Accept what you can’t change by focusing on what you can. You might not be able to control a situation, but you can control how you feel. Learn how to adapt and you will find that life becomes a little less serious and a lot more easy-going.
Life gets busy sometimes. Since Brian and I are so swamped with work, we don’t have a lot of down time to spare. I thought it would be a great idea to brainstorm some quick, easy ways to de-stress and share those ideas with you!
Simple Ways to De-Stress
- Unplug from work
- 10 Deep breaths
- Take a power nap
- Light a candle
- Read a book
- Watch your favorite movie or show
- Single task
- Go on a walk or run in the park
- Take a hot bath or shower
- Diffuse essential oils
- Light incense
- Meditate
- Stretch it out
- Create a gratitude list
- Declutter/clean your home
- Play a video game
- Write in your journal
- Go on a scenic drive
- Try out a new recipe
- Enjoy a glass of wine or cup of herbal tea
- Hit the gym
- Go out for dinner with friends
- Spend some time with family
- Sit in silence
- Massage yourself
- Listen to music
- Practice aromatherapy
- Do something nice for someone
- Play a board game
- Order take-out from your favorite place
- Drink more water
- Dance it out
- List out your to-dos to clear your mind
- Tense and then relax your muscles. Repeat.
- Slip on some super comfy clothes
How do you de-stress after a long day? Comment below!