The last X months have been, in many ways, about establishing what I like and what is important for me, in terms of little daily rituals. I've always thought it's important to take time to know yourself, know what you like, what your ideal routine looks like, etc., and since moving to my own place about half a year ago, I've been paying attention to that. The little do's I like to include in my daily schedule to keep myself...connected.
So when I saw this week's #KISS prompt, I thought I'd share mine.
What are some of your habits for reducing stress?
I make my bed.
I come from a fairly relaxed home. Making the bed was never a big discipline issue in my house - it's just, nobody cared. When I first read about this rule in Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules for Life, I thought it was cute, but a bit simplistic. Anyway, I started doing it, more as an experiment...
Now, I almost never leave the house in the morning without having made my bed. Something about the sight of an unmade bed just grates on my psyche. Especially since I can see my bed as I walk through the door, so it can be a real mood-breaker. In Peterson's reasoning, making your bed is supposed to be a basic, small act that you can do to take control of your circumstances. It's a good way of establishing that you can change your life for the better. And I don't know if I'd say making my bed reduces stress. But I will say not making the bed increases it. :)
Yoga
I won't talk too much about my yoga, since I already do that a-plenty on here. Lately, I've been trying (and succeeding - yay!) to maintain a daily practice. I've also been making an effort to keep my yoga in the first half of the day, as I find it sets the mood for my entire day. The way I see it, I can't be sure what the day is going to bring, so knowing I've had these 30 minutes or so for myself, for my body, for my welbeing is a very potent mood-booster.
This one, I know can reduce stress if you're feeling out of it. Mostly for me, though, it serves by bringing me to ground zero. Grounding me. I sometimes get wrapped up inside my own head, my own worries. So yoga acts as a sort of antidote.
Facial Massage
Lately, I've been getting into facial massage. It started as a bit of face yoga, really, while applying my facial oil and cream in the morning. Then, I started looking into lymphatic drainage and relaxing massages for the face. I found this lovely Youtube channel with short 10-20 minute routines, so I try to incorporate one in my morning routine. It works in a similar manner as the yoga, in the sense that it establishes some time just for myself that helps balance me.
I also think all these practices relating in some way to our body help reduce stress because they give us the impression of control. Like making the bed, in a way. They show you you can make yourself feel better, look better, ache less, and so on, and it's easy and it's reasonably quick.
And the more you feel like you've got some grip on things, the less stressed you are.
I spend some time in the sun.
Thankfully, the winter here was mild, and I was able to keep this up. But honestly, it's such an insane difference you notice. Especially if you're spending a lot of time inside, in front of a screen - that may all be important and useful and so on. But not being out in the sun is literally driving you nuts. So when I feel my thoughts start spiraling out of control, when I'm feeling worried or small or whatever, I just go out for a brief stint in the sunlight.
It's insane what a difference it can make for your mood.
I treat myself.
Now, I know a lot of people think stress is an excuse for sort of sugary, unhealthy foods. And while I do occasionally get one of those treats, I find they generally make me feel worse. So what I mean is, when I'm feeling out of sorts, I make myself something like an orange juice, eat some beets or some carrots, lemonade, or even just some tomatoes. It sounds like such a "life hack" cliche it makes me cringe, but it's weirdly true.
I've often found I feel a lot more in control and just a lot more fluid when I'm eating alright.
And ultimately, that's my idea of a stress antidote - feeling fluid. Transient. Remembering that even this stressful, unpleasant situation is bound to pass. It all changes. And thankfully, you can do little things to change it.
What do you do when life gets to be a bit much?
