When you reach a certain point in your life, it becomes so apparent how important stress relief is for your body, mind and soul.
Working full time, blogging (almost full time), running a home and trying to keep everyone around me happy can be overwhelming. I’m a damn good overthinker too which doesn’t help! I’ve always struggled with switching off. Switching off from my work, my laptop and updating social media can be a nightmare.
I’ve made it one of my goals this year to shake up my work-life balance and try not to stress about the little things as much! The past year has really taught me how easy it is to get stressed. Although, it’s also taught me a few things that I can do to tackle it.
I’m one of those women that never has “me” time.
I have never done, it’s terrible! This is the time when I should allow myself to switch off and try to reduce my stress levels, but I never seem to “find the time”. It needs to change.
Meet positive people.
I’m very much a “people” person. For me, surrounding myself with positive, happy people is a must! Those kinds of people that no matter what is going on in their lives, they still have the best outlook! These are the kinds of people you need. Being around guys and gals with a positive attitude can instantly uplift your mood.
Pamper yourself! Relax and have a soak in the bath.
Taking a bath can instantly help relax your body. Especially with candles, ugh I love candles! I’m completely crushing on the Pecksniff’s candles at the moment. They have gorgeous aromatherapy ones which I have picked up from TK Maxx. I don’t think anywhere else sells them, or I can’t find them, but they are to die for! I have deep-sleep, de-tox and relax. They smell amazing and really help you to unwind. I tend to find I can’t do anything else in the bath apart from just lying there in the dark haha but you could try listening to relaxing music or even reading a book to help you feel totally zen.
Simplify your life.
In this day-and-age life can be pretty busy for everyone. The more we strive for and the more successful we aim to be, the more stressful we make our lives. Even though I’m planning to up my blogging game this year, sometimes you need to step back and evaluate in what time-frame you’re going to achieve your goals in. As I’m living in the countryside now, I’m trying to get out more and go for walks. Leaving my computer on my desk and just getting out into the fresh air! Being outside really helps to lift my mood. Going for a 30-minute walk isn’t going to jeopardise my blogging goals.
Yoga and/or meditation.
Yoga definitely has to be a go-to for me if I ever want to destress. I find it so incredibly soothing and calming, not only for the body but for the mind as well. It’s slow and gentle and you can take it at your own pace. I’ve been using the Yoga Stretch for Beginners and Beyond with Jessica Smith
Write a thoughts journal.
When I get particularly overwhelmed or when my anxiety plays up, I put my thoughts down in a little notebook that I keep at the side of my bed. It’s great to be able to write down exactly what you’re feeling and thinking without worrying that anyone is going to judge you. Because I love writing, mine tends to fill up quite quickly so I’m constantly on the hunt for more cute notebooks! I tend to pick up mine from TK Maxx as they do the cutest stationary. Saying that, I have recently fallen in love with Paperchase too. They’ve started to get some super pretty notebooks in.
“Life is all about balance. You don’t always need to be getting things done. Sometimes it’s perfectly OK, and absolutely necessary, to shut down, kick back and do nothing”
What are your top tips for de-stressing? Let me know in the comments 🙂
Love it! It’s always nice to have “me time”. I try to get in some me time every other week.
Author
I definitely need to get some in! Maybe I should diarise it haha
I love this post! I will be sure to use this tips, im pinning it right now. I tend to get stressed easily and often have restless sleep. I hope some of this things will help. Thanks!
Author
Aww thanks so much! I hope my tips help you de-stress 🙂 let me know! X
Hi Sophie,
wonderful post.We live in such a time when we need a break from stress.Yoga is always good choice, just like meditation .Thank you
Author
Hey Ben! Thanks so much 🙂 we definitely do. I love Yoga and definitely need to try meditation.
Thank you from a fellow-overthinker. These are some great tips. Sometimes we know what’s good for us, but it’s hard to credit stress’ effects enough to prioritize these things.
Author
Yay another over-thinker haha 🙂 I know what you mean! It’s so hard
I find it really hard to switch off as well particularly since I started blogging because social media happens all day and night long?! I agree journalling is a great idea and I’ve started trying to empty my brain of an evening by doing a bit of that!
Author
Definitely! Social media never stops haha it’s terrible isn’t it! I’ve loved journalling ever since I started, it’s helped so much 🙂
I love these ideas! I’ve been dying to take a relaxing bath this week.
Author
Do it hun! 🙂 x
This year I want to make it a point to take care of myself. I need to listen more to my mind and body if it is getting bogged down with the stresses of work and school. I’ve been applying the brakes more and I’ve never felt better. I feel there’s more clarity and that mind fog is breaking away.
Author
I think we all need to listen to our bodies more 🙂 but glad you’re planning to make a point of taking more care 🙂 it’s worth it x
This is such a helpful post! I definitely need to focus more time on myself! I always try to have a relaxing bath on a Sunday evening with a face mask but I should definitely do it more often.
It must be lovely living in the countryside and being able to go out for walks 😊
Author
I think we all need to do it more 🙂 Ooooo your Sunday evenings sound lush! Living in the countryside is incredible, I’m truly blessed.
Hey ! This was a great post. We all need a break for “Me” time. You should check out down dog for yoga. It’s a free app, especially when you really don’t have time to go to a class (Not a promo). I actually found your blog through a Facebook group. Your post was so eye catching.
Author
Aww thanks so much! Oooo I’ll definitely check it out thanks for the recommendation 🙂 Thanks for your lovely comments 🙂 I’ll definitely check out your site x
great tips! 🙂 mine are deep breathing, watching some tv show or a movie, eating something healthy and cleaning my space 🙂
Author
Love your tips! Will definitely try some of these 🙂
I love these tips and your pictures!
Author
Aww thank you so much! x
Reading this makes me want to do some of those de-stress things right now! I also like going for walks or now in winter doing anything remotely “cardio” inside. Getting to move my body always helps with stress.
Author
I always find that getting myself up and moving helps 🙂 x
Love all these tips. It’s definitely so important to have me time!
xoxo
Annie
Author
Glad you liked them hun! 🙂 100% is so important xx
This is right on time. I’m going through the same transitions of working full time and blogging like it’s full time as well. Setting time limits with working on tasks is a great idea! I plan on taking your tip to go for a walk outside today 🙂
Author
It’s super tough isn’t it! Aww I hope the walk helps 🙂
Yes to the kick back, shutdown, do nothing moments!!! We all need those!
Author
We definitely do 🙂
Taking out ‘me’time is so so important. It really is something I need to incorporate into my life more
Author
I think we all could do it more 🙂 especially with how stress-filled life is nowadays