The real world can flood you with to-do lists, responsibilities, unknown obstacles ... and I've found it's so important to understand the best ways to de-stress when I'm feeling overwhelmed.
I tend to get over ambitious sometimes by planning one too many projects or spreading myself too thin in hopes to please everyone at once. However, lately, I've been able to pinpoint a few ways to bring myself back to my "center," if you will, and reboot.
Get moving. My dad always said that a little exercise can cure a lot of things. Well, he's right. Whether it's a quick workout, a long cardio session or an hour of yoga, I always feel better afterward.
Eat well and drink water. Because I don't like coffee, I often get my source of caffeine from a lunchtime soda. It's become such a habit that even when I don't feel the need for a pick-me-up, I still pop open some Mountain Dew or Coca Cola. Recently, I've focused more on H20 and less on carbonation. It actually gives me more energy than a soda ever would. Who knew?! (This awesome Nike water bottle helps...)
Avoid the TV. It's like clockwork. I walk in the door from work and immediately plop on the couch to watch TV. Sometimes the best thing for me to do is to grab a book (or magazine) and go into the front room. Since I stare at a computer ALL day, it's nice to avoid the big screen for a few hours as I wind down for bed.
Enjoy an impromptu date night, girls night or midweek activity. Breaking up the week is key. Not planning every second of the day and night is also key. I love impromptu week plans. Simple walks with the husband and pups, a dinner at our favorite place or a fun girls night are perfect ways to decompress and get out of the house.
Create something. I wish I did this more than I already do. From painting to sewing to moving around some home furnishings... creating something is a little like therapy to me. It gets my the right side of my brain working and (usually) the end result is rewarding. Brit + Co. has some great ideas, along with the book Young House Love.
While I also believe in retail therapy -- perhaps too much -- this doesn't make the list. That doesn't mean I don't lean on it sometimes. ;)
What do you do to de-stress? Any tips?
images via Pinterest
This is great! I've decided that if I ever live in Indy again, we have to be real friends. It's a shame this was realized years after we actually lived in the same town.
ReplyDeleteI second that comment, Mary! Come back to Indy, STAT! ;)
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