Happy Friday! Today I am linking up with Andrea for Friday Favorites, only this time I am writing about something that I have been REALLY putting into practice these past two weeks: stress relievers!
We recently found out we were moving and are in the process of buying our new house/selling our old house. It all pretty much went down in less than a week and now we are crossing our fingers and hoping our current house sells.
We have some other major life changes happening around here too, and it feels like everything is happening all at once. When it rains, it pours, right?? Well it's certainly pouring over here. Pouring blessings for sure, but it's a lot to take in all at once. So this week I have been trying to spend as much time as possible doing things I know help to relieve stress. These are the typical things I do:
1. Make a list (or several)-- I love making a list. There is something so calming to me about seeing everything I have to do all in one place, and then figuring out how to tackle it. I notice that if I make a list, I am better able to delegate the items on the list to people who can help. There's nothing worse than a friend or family member offering to help you but you don't even know where to begin on what to tell them. If you make a list, you can easily pick out one thing for someone else to help with. Even if it's small like "throw the laundry from the wash into the dryer", it's something that someone else is able to help with and it's one less thing for you to do. Devin prefers typing his lists (his handwriting is pretty illegible), but I prefer handwriting them on one of the dozen cutesy notepads I have laying around from the Target dollar section. Using my paper mate pens always make me happy, and I'll take every single ounce of happy I can when I'm stressed out!
2. Get. Some. EXERCISE! It may seem counterproductive when you have a million things to do to take an hour out of your day to exercise, but oh my goodness do I notice a difference in myself when I do. I feel a combination of both relaxed and also more energized to take on the next task at hand. Now it doesn't need to be an hour long cycle class, or go run several miles; a power walk or a yoga class do just as much, if not more during those times. I always feel immediately better when I get up and move my body.
3. Get some sleep-- Again, I know this seems counterproductive. Why go to bed at 10 when you could stay up an extra 2-3 hours and get more work done? Because when you wake up the following morning you will have more energy to tackle your to-do list. Yes, the kids might be awake. Yes, you might have others things going on. But if you are taking care of yourself, you will be better able to accomplish all that you need to accomplish.
The Palm Beach Salad from Chopt is my favorite
4. Eat Healthy Food-- notice I don't say "cook a healthy meal", but "eat healthy food". There is nothing wrong with grabbing take out when you have a to-do list that's a mile long. Tying back into the get exercise/get sleep tips though, when you eat junk, you feel like junk. When you fuel your body well, your body is better able to handle the tasks at hand. So be smart about it and fuel your body right. We have grabbed many a takeout salad lately from Chick-fil-a, Panera, and Chopt (if you have a Chopt near you-- aren't they the best!?).
5. Put on soothing music. I'm a firm believer in how easily music can affect our moods. When I feel hyped up and need to calm down, I turn to Pandora. I usually just search "spa music" or "classical music for studying" or something similar and put it on as background noise. I can feel the stress melt away when I do this. After 15-20 minutes, I can switch over to another station if I'm ready.
What are your tips for relieving stress?? I'll take any more time you all throw at me!!
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