Stress is a normal thing that all teenagers, like us, go through. Depending on how you channel your stress, it can determine whether you have good stress or bad stress. With everything that has happened, such as a new sense of normalcy, finals and the start of summer, these activities can be a great way to feel less stressed.
1. Comfort films
Comforting movies and shows are a great way to relieve stress. I always find it soothing to watch my favorite movies and TV shows. It can be great to just laugh at your favorite characters and really let go of whatever is holding you back. Watching your favorite movie/show can be relaxing, especially when you’re feeling stressed. What can be even more relaxing is pairing your favorite show or movie with your favorite snack. Set aside some time to relax by watching a few episodes of your favorite sitcom or that suspenseful horror movie. It can be easy to lose track of time when you’re immersed in your comfort movies and shows.
2. Go out with friends
Hanging out with friends can be such an amazing thing, even when you’re feeling stressed. There’s nothing better than relying on friends, especially during a stressful time. People shouldn’t feel like they can do anything and act like everything is fine; it’s okay to rely on friends sometimes. Having friends around can be relaxing. You don’t even have to do anything with them – just having them around can be comforting. Having a good time with friends can make you forget all the stresses of life. Isn’t that what friends do? They help you forget the troubles of life, the things in life that seem difficult and harsh.
3. Take care of yourself
The most de-stressing thing you can do to become more relaxed is to take care of yourself. Self-care is vitally important to your mental and physical health. Everyone has been going through tough times lately, and it won’t get any easier as we grow. As a freshman in college, finals were tough. Life can be crazy, hard and stressful sometimes, so why not take a break? Personal care has no specific definition. It can be anything that relaxes the mind and soul, anything that gives you peace, activities that make you less stressed. If that means detoxing from social media, then do it. If that means offering you face masks and food, so be it. Everyone should have time to relax and make sure they are well taken care of mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically. How can we become our best selves, when we feel like wreckage inside?
4. Reading, podcasts, audiobooks
Reading or listening to music can be a good way to boost your energy. Reading has always helped me forget the real world and lose myself in the fictional world. Listening to music or a podcast can also help you when you’re going through a tough time. There are many more people who understand how you feel and what you are going through. This is portrayed through podcasts and music. Another thing that can help de-stress is writing. Write to your heart’s content. I find that writing puts me in a better mood. Write down what you see, what you feel, who you have met, what you think. Sometimes it is possible to get out of your head with the art of writing words on paper. I could fill pages with things I feel, books with people I have observed. Start keeping a journal, it can help de-stress.
5. Walk/hike in nature
Exploring the great outdoors can feel liberated and free. Breathing in the fresh air can sometimes be so refreshing. It’s relieving to just enjoy nature and not worry about anything else in life. Enjoying nature frees the mind from the problems one may face; it changes a person’s perspective and perception of the world and what we see around us. In nature, we focus on the small, important details; the way the wind blows through the trees, the coolness of the air, the chatter of the people around you, we experience it all. Taking all of this into account, we realize how small our troubles and problems seem compared to the big spaces. Take a moment to appreciate nature and breathe it in.
6. Photo shoot
A photo shoot is by far one of the things I believe everyone does to relieve stress. When you feel good and look good, you want to show it, so do it. Why not? We live in such a world where every possible look is beautiful. One can be effortless and still look good. It all depends on how you feel about yourself. When you feel good, you will dress to show how you feel. When you feel ugly or bad, it shows through your outfit. Therefore, to de-stress, you have to dress to impress. Don’t just try to impress others – just focus on your own impression. You’ll only feel good when you’re really feel good, inside and out, flaws and all. It doesn’t matter what others say or even what they think. If you want to dress up on a Wednesday for no reason, then DO IT. Who stops you? Do what makes you happy, show it.
7. Breathing
The best thing you can do to completely relieve stress is to breathe. Simply breathe, and as you do, take in whatever you have felt or thought. All the things you’ve faced, your sorrows, your failures, everything that’s weighed you down, and breathe it out. The reality is that whatever obstacles you are facing right now will not matter in the future. The only thing that will matter is what you have become because of what you have been through. Who you were once you got out of that difficulty or obstacle. How will you spend your time? Worry and get stressed, or breathe and take it one day at a time.
