By the Just Mind clinical team and clinically reviewed by Teri Schroeder, LCSW
Have you ever felt overwhelmed while at home? Life stresses have a knack for finding people wherever they happen to be. But you have control over how you cope. Here are some simple ideas for stress relief at home, so you can feel good while in your castle.
1. Be at Home in the First Place
Is your job so stressful that your work is actually suffering and you aren’t being productive anymore? Play hooky for a day! Most employers offer personal and sick days as part of their benefits. Take a personal day to relax and soothe your soul. The short time off to rejuvenate may do wonders for your long-term productivity level.
2. Clean Your Refrigerator, Closet, or Patio
Some research suggests that doing even 20 minutes of chores at home can actually lower your stress level, not to mention the added benefit of lowering your spouse’s stress level who gets a free day from putting up the laundry.
3. Learn to Knit
Repetitive movements such as knitting (or playing easy smartphone games such as Tetris and Bejeweled) may help lower your stress. How so? The repetitive motion is a distraction from your problems, and can actually ease you into a relaxed, almost hypnotic state. Think about this: many people with trichotillomania, a condition that involves repeatedly pulling out one’s hair, describe the pulling as a way to cope with overwhelming anxiety. Repetitive action has a way of taking a person ‘out’ of the state of anxiety and into a soothing state. Of course, we suggest a healthier way to cope, so if you have a persistent worry or anxiety, get out your knitting needles and start making that scarf for next winter.
4. Quick and Easy Pick-Me-Ups
A) Refrigerate some rose spray and spritz your face in the morning and afternoon. Ahhhh. You can’t help but feel better. B) Pet your pets! Hug your furry friend whenever you can because doing so can lower anxiety. C) Be still & silent for 15 minutes. Focus on your breathing and nothing else. D) Watch a funny Netflix movie or listen to some comedy acts via Spotify E) Sit in front of a crackling fire. Don’t have a fireplace? No problem: there are several large ‘Fireplace’ scented candles available in stores and online that have wood wicks which crackle when they burn. The sound and smell may end up soothing your soul.
5. Curse
&#*(@)!&@+#! Ever notice that when you stub your toe, letting a four letter word fly out of your mouth tends to help with the pain? Odd, right? Researchers have found that swearing can increase pain tolerance in the short term, likely through the body’s stress response. Just take care not to go overboard.
6. Read a Book Right Before Bed
If you have trouble sleeping because of all the worries and to-do lists tumbling through your head, reading a book before lights out can actually calm and ready your mind for slumber (versus watching late night television or perusing your Facebook newsfeed).
7. Cry
Listen, if you are stressed out and are circling a meltdown (we have all been there), maybe the best thing you can do for yourself is allow yourself to feel. Instead of finding 101 ways to avoid this feeling, allow yourself to cry. But on a very basic level, crying can ironically give you the release you’ve so desperately been seeking. Having trouble getting the waterworks running? Put on The Color Purple or Steel Magnolias if those ASPCA commercials just aren’t doing it for you.
If you or a loved one need help with stress, you can read more about personal growth counseling on our dedicated page. Also, if you are ready, you can contact us to make a counseling appointment.
If you enjoyed this post, you can also read a similar one regarding slaying stress at work or a post providing more stress-busting tips.
