A few tips for how to ground yourself when you’re feeling untethered.
Long work days, overwhelming sense of responsibilities, and unorganized chaos. There are many experiences in our day-to-day lives that can have us feeling a bit untethered. But when you feel your stress accelerating, there are a few ways to get back to neutral.
Get enough sleep
Perhaps the most important tip for destressing is getting enough sleep. How you sleep has a huge effect on how you feel. A lack of rest will only add to how stressed you're feeling the next day. So, before diving into a list of ways to manage your stress levels, be sure you’re doing what you can to achieve a full night of sleep. So, first things first, be sure you’re giving yourself enough time to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night! If you’re having trouble doing so, try switching to breathable fabrics, using a sleeping mask, or unplugging an hour before bed.
Practice mindfulness
Being mindful can help you ground yourself amid a stressful panic. This can mean taking a few intentional breaths, making a list of things to conquer each day, or writing down affirmations to refer back to when things feel rough. Keep note of what you can control about the moment you’re in, and what will help you level back down. While you’re at it, take note of your situation and what you can avoid about it in the future.
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Light a candle Aromatherapy has proven effects on your mood. Try lighting a candle when it’s time to relax, or plugging in an oil diffuser when you’re working. Scents can help you focus or transport you to a place you’d rather be. Either way, they do a perfect job at setting the mood you’d rather be in. |
Move around each day
Stress can store itself in all of your muscles. By addressing your body’s reaction to stress, you will not only decompress but you’ll also be mitigating the physical effects of stress, like premature aging and physical discomfort. With stretches, long walks, yoga, dancing, or home workouts, you can release any pent-up angst that might be hiding inside.
Give yourself something to look forward to
Scheduling time for yourself is super important. Sometimes stress builds from feeling lost in a list of tasks, responsibilities, or things out of your control. Even if it means swapping your shower for a bath, changing into your favorite loungewear when you get home, or whipping up your favorite meal after a long day, it’s important you reward yourself for getting through it. Simple swaps in your schedule also mean you don’t have to stress yourself out about changing your routine! Do for yourself what you normally would, just with a little extra TLC.
Working in ways to lower your stress levels can be small and simple but have huge, lasting impacts. Remember, taking care of your work or your relationships is only possible if you take care of yourself, first!
