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Thoughtful Thursday - Healthy Ways to Reduce Stress

thoughtfulOne of the reasons I'm able to get so much done in a week without losing my mind is that I make time for some self-care.

If, like me, you're feeling like there is a ton of stuff to manage in your life right now, there are many things you can do for even just 10 minutes that will help you recharge and give you that extra bit you need to tackle it all.

Here is a list of 20 healthy ways to cope with stress:

1. Yoga and/or meditation
2. Stress balls
3. Exercise/Working out (running, jogging, tennis, CrossFit, dancing, etc)
4. Martial arts
5. Human Contact (Hugs, Sex)
6. Reading
7. Sipping tea
8. Massage (whether professional or trading with a friend)
9. Laughing and Breathing
10. Knitting
11. Listening to music
12. Church
13. Hanging with a friend
14. Journaling
15. Playing with pets (toddlers can work too)
16. Creating something (painting, writing, carving, sewing, etc)
17. Taking a hot bath
18. A nature walk
19. Having an action plan
20. Getting help from a counselor

My top seven are in bold.

Martial arts puts me in a different place where I have to focus on my surroundings and forget about the stresses of the day.

Reading can transport you to another world while disconnecting you from technology. That matters because you won't have notifications or social media drama in your face adding to the mountain of stress.

Laughing and breathing are such simple things. If you take a deep breath in and hold it for 6 seconds before letting it go and repeat that 3 or more times, you'll start feeling better.

Music speaks to my soul in a way that nothing else does. The right music can change everything.

Journaling helps even if the reason you're stressed is because you have a crap ton of things to write. Why? It lets you get some of those other thoughts out of your head, so you can focus on the things you need to get done.

I love going on nature walks in warmer weather. There is something soothing about getting away from walls, technology, and other man-made things.

And that's how life's river flows today.
R~
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