How to Destress

Whether you’re stressed about the coronavirus or the daily burdens of life, taking a few minutes to regroup is always a good plan when life starts to get a little overwhelming. IFM staff has gathered some tips to help you to destress during difficult times like this. 

1. Breathe deeply. Deep breaths are a huge stress reliever. You might not feel yourself relax immediately, but it’s a good first step. There are a variety of apps that can help guide you through breathing exercises and meditation.

2. Go for a walk. You’re safe to go for a walk. The Health Department currently recommends keeping 6 feet away from other people, which means you should be able to go for a hike or even take a walk around the neighborhood. If you’re still nervous about leaving the house, then consider looking up some yoga or other exercise videos that you can follow along with from the comforts of your own living room. 

3. Eat a healthy snack. We rarely feel good about ourselves while cramming down a chocolate bar, even though that’s pretty much all we want to do when we’re stressed. Try eating a healthy snack, even if it isn’t necessarily your first choice.

4. Turn off your phone for a few hours. You don’t have to disconnect from the world forever, but maybe take a break for a few hours. The constant flood of news can be overwhelming, so take some time to read or watch one of your favorite movies.

5. Listen to relaxing music. They say music heals the soul, right? Find something soothing and give it a listen while you work.

6. Clean. It’s hard to destress when your environment is causing you anxiety. If cleaning your entire space is overwhelming then tackle it in ten minute spurts. You’ll feel a lot better when you’re not surrounded by clutter.

7. Get creative. Everyone expresses themselves differently. Find your thing, whether that be writing, playing music, painting a picture or something else entirely. Engaging in a creative project is a fun way to distract yourself from the worries bogging you down.

8. Get some sleep. It seems obvious, but sometimes when we get really busy or stressed we forget that this is something we need. Take a nap or go to bed early, so that you can be ready to tax the next day with greater fervor. You’ve got this.