5 Ways to Unwind

5 Ways to Unwind

The older I get the more I tend to feel stressed about things. Stress over work, stress over paying bills and student loans, stress about my future, etc. We’ve all been there. Stress is nothing foreign to many of us. But over the past month and a half or so, I let the stress build up too much to the point where I constantly felt anxiety beyond what was normal or healthy. I’m talking about the type of stress where you’re hungry but your stomach is in such a knot, you can’t eat. The type of stress where you either can’t fall asleep or wake up much too early freaking out because your mind is racing.

Today’s post is about how to manage that stress, and dare I say it, even combat it and alleviate it. Yes, it is possible to be stress-free, well almost as stress free as possible without being so lackadaisical that you take nothing seriously.

Here are my top five ways that have helped me push past the anxiety that I was struggling with (and still tried to rear it’s ugly head) about a month and a half ago.

1.     Create a Relaxing Environment – When I need to unwind it is imperative that I create an environment that is calm, relaxing and peaceful. When I’m wound up and feeling anxious, I instantly feel less tense when I go to my room, shut the door, put on my comfy clothes, light a candle and just sit in the quiet. Creating a calm environment forces you to slow down and reflect. Start by taking a warm shower or bath first that can also help to ease tension. I know that when I slow down and actually take a breather, I find that many of the thoughts that were troubling me weren’t as imposing as I thought they were when I was caught in a more high-stress environment.

2.      Teatime and Recreational Reading – Sometimes when I’m feeling stressed I’ll often make myself a cup of tea and grab a good book that will allow for me to escape reality. It’s another way to slow down and take my mind off things. There is something about holding a cup of fragrant hot tea and diving into a fictional world that sets my mind at ease. We live in a fast paced world and it’s easy to get swept up into the chaos. Sometimes just tuning out the world is just enough to set your mind at ease.

3.     Talk to Someone – I’m extremely blessed to have a great support system. My family and friends are always there when I need a shoulder to cry on or someone to just lend a listening ear and offer words of encouragement. One key thing I’ve learned about anxiety is that internalizing it is one of the worst things you can do. I’ve gotten into the habit that, whenever I feel overwhelmed and anxious, I’ll tell at least one person. Usually that person is Tonyette or my best friend Marianne. Tonyette maybe three hours away, but one simple text and I know she’s going to send words of encouragement and the perfect bible verse to set my mind at ease. Sharing what’s worrying you and then have someone provide feedback allows you to see a different perspective. You’ll often see that the situation isn’t as bad as you think it is.  WE often blow things out of proportion.

4.     Journaling - I started journaling on a daily basis in December of 2012. I’m the type of person that has to write things down. There is something about writing the thoughts racing through my mind on paper that really eases my anxiety and stress. It allows me to organize my thoughts on paper. I often find that when I start writing, some of the smaller things that I worry about don’t get written down because I realize they aren’t as large and imposing as I thought they seemed. Again, journaling forces me to sit, be still, and be quiet. I’ll put on my big headphones that cancel out noise, put on some peaceful music and write. I also include inspirational quotes and bible verses that stand out to me in my journal entries that inspire positive thinking.

5.     Praying and Reading My Bible – I saved this one for last because it’s the most important one to me. There are some things that the longest bubble bath won’t cure, that the best cup of tea and my favorite novel can’t solve. There are those things in life that just wear you down, mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. I pray and read my Bible daily. It is a part of my journaling routine. I always address my journal entries to God as letters. It is a form of prayer for me. Nothing eases my mind and gets rid of my stress and anxiety more than giving it all to the Lord. One verse that always comes to mind is Matthew 6:34:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (NIV)

One thing Tonyette always says is to take it one day at a time. Focus on what can be done today, then focus on tomorrow. When we stress about the future we are stressing about things that we often have no control over and in many cases,  about things that will never come to pass. There is something so soothing about knowing that God has everything under control. It takes the pressure off me to think I have to have it all figured out when all I have to do is trust in God. He already has it all figured out. He knows that I need for the day and He knows what I need for my tomorrow.

Those are my top 5 ways that I unwind! I hope this was helpful! How do you manage stress and anxiety in your own life?

- Alana