When the world feels chaotic, we try to remind ourselves what truly matters in life—family, friends, a roof over our head, and doing our best to enjoy the simple pleasures. To help ease your mind during hectic times, we’re sharing 9 self-care tips to keep in your back pocket for when you’re feeling down.
Learn our stress-reducing hacks below.
Make a weekly "feel-good" playlist.
You can add songs that calm you down, help you meditate, or force you to relax. Once your playlist is set, you can listen to it in the car, when you’re trying to clear your mind before bed, or anytime you are feeling stressed. Music can be used as a form of therapy, and as this study shows, it can be beneficial to calming the nervous system.
Soak in a bubble bath.
Try one of our go-to self-care rituals: a calming bath. We like to add magnesium flakes to help soothe our bodies and minds while we soak. If you don’t have a bath, a long, steamy shower does just the trick too. Allow yourself to unwind and clear your mind during the relaxing soak or rinse.
Help out others.
When you’re feeling down, one of the easiest ways to shift your mood is by helping out others. This could be through donating money or your time to those in need or simpling calling three of your closest friends or family members and asking how they are doing. Try and keep the conversation positive and uplifting. We’re all in this together and need as much emotional support as we can get.
Unplug for 10-15 minutes.
During this time, focus on yourself and your surroundings. The emails and group text messages can wait. Giving yourself a moment of silence can help clear your mind and help destress. According to the American Heart Association, a healthy amount of quiet time can also help with heart health.
Enjoy a guided meditation session.
A few minutes a day of meditation can really bring back your inner peace. You can do it at any point of the day, alone in your room, or listen to it while you’re on a safe nature walk. If you’re not a fan a traditional meditation, try one of these mindfulness exercises.
Have something to look forward to.
It could be something as simple as making (or ordering) your favorite meal for dinner or a getaway with your significant other. No matter what it is, get something on the calendar—the excitement of having something planned is such a simple way to keep your spirits up.
Take two minutes each day to journal.
Before you write this one off as “not for me,” remember that journaling doesn’t mean you have to write a novel. Consider easing into the idea by starting with writing down three things each day (or week!) that you’re grateful for.
We highly recommend using an actual journal, but you can also use the Notes app on your phone. Not only will you feel relieved getting your thoughts and feeling out, but when you’re needing a pick-me-up, you can go back and read older notes and remind yourself that whatever you’re going through will pass and brighter days are ahead.
Stretch it out.
Stretching improves posture, muscle tension, and your ability to relax. Take 5-10 minutes a day to move your body. You can do this right when you wake up or at the end of the day as you’re winding down during the evening.
Make your room your sanctuary.
A messy, cluttered room only adds to a stressful lifestyle. Aside from making your bed every morning and keeping your area tidy, consider purging unnecessary things from your bedroom (and closet) that are taking up valuable space. You’ll be surprised how shifting to a more minimalistic style can make you feel lighter and overall less anxious. Donate the items you no longer need.
Taking care of your mental health is always important, but especially so during these extra stressful times. Set aside some time for one (or all!) of these self-care rituals, and reap the anxiety-reducing benefits.
Author Bio:
The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.
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