25 Healthy Ways to deal with Stress

 

 

I’ve had a lot on my plate the last little bit. And… we are all aware that I am not one to deal with stress in a healthy way naturally. My natural instinct is to always maintain control however that may look and for 18 years that control was to starve. Seems logical right? When life sucks just stop eating and it all goes away. If only it were that easy right?

 

I am sure as you read this you were sayin’ “Uhhhh girlfriend…I do not stop eating when life gets stressful.” I bet you even thought “I handle stress like a boss.”  and if that is true good on you. Feel free to stop reading this post at any time. For those of you who don’t handle stress in a healthy way this post is written just for YOU.

 

25 HEALTHY ways to deal with stress. Tried and tested by yours truly!

 

1- Just say No.

Yep, you read that right. You can say the NO word without guilt. It’s okay. Especially, to things that cannot be a priority at this time. When you are stressed you don’t need anything “extra” on your already full plate. Sometimes in life you have to restrict what you can give right now so that in the future you can give more. Say no now so you can say yes more later.

 

2- Ask for help.

This is NOT easy. It is not easy to let down the walls and let others see us vulnerable and imperfect but remember that you have people who LOVE you regardless and they want to help you if you need it. You just need to ask. During stressful times delegate out tasks  to others. Let others help you until you are in a better place to give more.

 

3-  Get some Sleep.

Uhhhhh…if I don’t get enough sleep YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW ME! I’m emotional and quick to anger. If I am stressed out the last thing I need is to be emotional and snarky . I am a much happier and healthy person when I get my sleep. But let’s be real..when we are stressed  sleep can be hard to come by, which leads me to my next idea for you.

 

4- Write out your Worries and Stresses-

Try emptying your brain of all your thoughts in an unedited journal. I do this when my brain won’t shut off and it helps me turn it off when I know it’s  physically written down somewhere safe. I keep an unedited journal next to my bed and use it often. I have also found that when I write it all out without worrying about it making sense, I often can get to the bottom of what is really bothering me and then take steps to tackle it so I can let it go.

 

5.  Listen to Music

Music is my go to. Nothing can change my mood faster than some good tunes. Whether it be mellow and relaxing or a good dance party. Whatever mood I am in there is a song to go along with it. Crank it loud and let out some frustration, sing at the top of your lungs or just bask in some beautiful music that speaks to your soul. Whatever your needs are there is a song to go with it. Put on the headphones and forget the world for minute. Listen, dance, sing with abandon- like nobody is watching. You’ll feel better. Cross my heart!

 

6- Just Breath

In through your nose and out through your mouth. Deep breaths.  Do it ten times and life is good. If it’s not good after that than just watch this video and you’ll feel better….which brings you to my next thought…..

 

 

7- Laugh. 

Nothing makes your soul feel better than a good laugh. I love to laugh. Laugh until my stomach hurts or I can’t breath. It makes me feel alive and reminds me that the simple things, like laughter, can bring us the most joy. In the wise words of Mark Twain-

The human race has one really effective weapon-and that is Laughter.

Amen, Mr Twain. Amen to that.

 

 

8- Let it GO

Sift and sort through the things that are bothering you. Find the truth in it and LET THE REST GO. Don’t burden yourself with thoughts and burdens that you don’t need to be carrying around. Clean out the junk in the trunk. Forgive if it requires forgiving. Make peace with what cannot be changed and LET IT GO. Like I did.

 

 

9-  Feel your Vulnerability

Let it surface. Allow yourself to feel ALL that you are feeling in this moment. Let it out. Let it be seen. Have a good cry if that is what bubbles up. Vulnerability is POWER and can change our world when we embrace it. One of my favorite books is “Daring Greatly” by Brene Brown. It was a game changer in my life. I also love her TED talk that you can watch HERE. 

 

10-  Set some Boundaries

Setting boundaries allows you to take control of YOUR life. It allows you to have healthy relationships. When we set boundaries in our lives it allows us to live a happy and healthy lifestyle. You own your own life and you can be in control of how it looks. Setting boundaries also means being able to say that “No” word we talked about earlier. If you want a good read on this check out this book:

 

 

11- Start a Gratitude Journal

I am a big believer in having a gratitude journal. It is so easy to look at all the things we don’t have instead of all the things we do have. I was in a rutty rut rut at the start of this year. I knew I had so much to be grateful for but I just wasn’t feeling it and that made me feel worse so I started trying to have an “Attitude of Gratitude” .  I had 3 things that I started to achieve my goal and one of them was a gratitude journal. It is a great reminder of the things I have to be grateful for.

 

12-  Meditate

Meditation is the art of focusing 100% of your attention in one area. I also think it is a great way to connect with our true selves, to our souls. Meditating has long lasting  health benefits including increased concentration, decreased anxiety, and a general feeling of happiness. I think taking some time to really concentrate on yourself and your feelings,  helps you clear your head of the unnecessary and let’s the necessary speak. Creating clarity.

 

13- Service- Even if it is just writing a kind note to a friend

” To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own”  Abraham Lincoln .

I am a HUGE  believer in service to others.  The service can be small in our eyes but the impact it can have can be endless. When I forget my why, service is the first place I start to try and find it. Write a kind letter to a friend. Smile at a stranger and ask how their day is going. Help someone in need.

 

14- Go for a Walk

Around the block. In the mall. Through a park. In the wilderness. Call a friend to tag along and get your walk on. Physically moving puts your mind in a meditative state, it creates stress busting endorphins, it helps with your memory and attention and last but not least, it boosts your energy and fights fatigue . Do you need any more reasons to get you walk on?!

 

15- Make some “YOU” time

Set some time aside each day for you. Make it a priority. Do something that you love. Fill your bucket.

 

16- Words of Affirmation or Words of Truth

Watch you negative self talk. Recognize it and replace it with words of TRUTH. Let yourself know that you can do hard things, that you are loveable and you are worth it. Sometimes we just need to be reminded how amazing we really are.

 

17- Tidy up your Spaces

When my house looks like a bomb went off it makes me irritable, ornery and unsettled. I can’t focus and the last thing I feel is peaceful. When my spaces are tidy (not organized…that is for another day) I can breathe. I can focus and that makes my stress level go way down.

 

18- Start a Routine

If your like me, the unexpected is what throws me for a loop. Routines are a great way to feel in control when life is feeling unexpected and uncontrollable. Create routines to have the structure in the areas that we can still maintain.

 

 

19- Reward Yourself

Do I need to say more? Go to a movie, eat a treat, get a pedicure or a massage. Rewards work with kids and they work for us too.

 

20- Media Fast

Oh boy….this is my favorite one. I do these ALL the time. Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram are the breeding grounds of comparison. Turn it all off and focus on WHO YOU ARE and the things that you are good at. Put down the People Magazine or anything that makes you feel small and less than. Put it all away and I PROMISE your heart will feel  happier.

 

21- Bask in the Sunshine

Sunshine is food for the soul. Some sunshine on your face is a natural anti-depressant. Your body produces more serotonin, which is a mood lifting hormone, when it sees the sun.

 

22- Take a hot bath

One of my favorite things to tackle a stressful day. Try some aromatherapy crystals or  some DoTerra Essential Oils to help you relax.

 

23-Get Ready

I know when I take the time to get ready in the morning I feel so much better through out my day. This includes getting ready on the outside but also on the inside.

 

24- Eat Healthy

When our brain gets what it needs, it functions at full capacity. When I was at my lowest point  with my anorexia my brain was a hot mess. I couldn’t remember things. I seriously would forget something one minute after someone told me. I couldn’t reason. I couldn’t finish thoughts. When I started getting in a healthier place it was night and day in what I could do.  Eat healthy so your body can do all the AMAZING things it was designed to do.

 

25- Read a book

I’m a lover of books. When my life gets a little to stressful or out of control I like to dive into the make believe world of a book. For a time I can forget about the missed paycheck or the kids fighting in the next room. When I get a minute to myself to do something I enjoy, I can better combat the negative things that pop up in life.

 

Hopefully, a few of these will help you deal with something stressful in a healthy way. Remember YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS!

 

xoxo

Kallie

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