5 tips to de-stress
1. Journal your feelings.
Journaling is something that I’ve been doing since I was a young child. It’s been my therapy before I knew what therapy was! It allowed me to express my emotions without being shut down or silenced and it’s something I still do everyday.
Find a journal that’s aesthetically pleasing. Make it your own and use it as a safe haven for your thoughts and feelings. I like to do something called “free-writing”. This is when you set a timer and just write. Without thinking or stopping for too long let the words flow out of you and onto the paper. You will feel much lighter when done.
2. Make a playlist of your favorite songs.
I grew up surrounded by music. My mother, aunties, and big momma were all singers and passed down their love of music to me. Although I’m more of a background singer, I love to belt at the top of my lungs to Whitney or Toni Braxton. It has a way of melting the stress and leaving me feeling empowered.
What are some songs that really make you feel good? The songs you can replay all day and it still sounds like the first time. Create a list of all your favs and ride the wave. Music is healing to the soul.
3. Slow down and just breathe.
Breathing is such a simple tool but holds so much power. You ever stop to notice your breath? Is there tension attached to it? Is their tightness or is it easy to do? Just examine how it feels to inhale and exhale.
Take a couple minutes to breathe consciously — that means you’re actively paying attention to your breath. Inhale through your nose and count to five, exhale and count to seven. This will help to turn on your parasympathetic nervous system, the part that allows you to rest and digest.
4. Manage your senses.
I’m an introvert and hella sensitive so I really have to watch what I allow in my mental space. We take in so much through our senses. Whether it’s social media, T.V., food, touch, gossip, etc. How do you manage the sensory stimulation?
Watch what you take in energetically and set clear boundaries with yourself and others. Limit the amount of time on your phone or computer each day. Try eating your meals in silence beginning with a prayer of gratitude. Write a list of ways you can ground your energy without becoming overwhelmed.
5. Take time to rest.
This capitalist society does not value rest. Resting is a chance for you to put yourself first and honor your body. After all, the body is always working hard (and occasionally overtime) to keep things moving along. You owe it to yourself to rest.
Taking a nap, restorative yoga, and meditation are great ways to rest. How do you like to recharge? Challenge yourself for one week to rest everyday. Do it until it becomes a part of your daily practice. A practice of caring for yourself deeply and honoring the ancestors who couldn’t rest. It is your birthright.
