Does something on this list speak to you? One simple change can create unexpected and amazing results.
- Begin to develop tolerance and patience. The first step to finding peace with society and improving your state of being is to practice tolerance for people and things around you that create anxiety inside your body. When you begin to feel the stress or anxiety, take a step back and explore WHY the situation triggered the reaction. Does it remind you of a past event?
- Meditate. Schedule 5-15 minutes into your day for meditation. If you don’t like the idea of meditating, practice taking deep breaths once a day as you become conscious of your body. This can help with circulation and ease your level of stress.
- Volunteer. Volunteering for a good cause helps your soul, but also provides benefit for others – a win-win situation! Find something you are passionate about volunteer your time (or money). There are thousands of charities and organizations that would love your help. Spend a few hours at your local SPCA. Go to a hospital and volunteer to hold the babies. Donate time to the Salvation Army. Collect day-old bread from grocery stores and deliver it to local food banks or soup kitchens.
- Write down your Thoughts. Writing not only stimulates your brain – it also acts as a great de-stressor. Keep a journal and record your thoughts at the beginning or ending of each day. Find a journal that feels good in your hand, one that is a pleasure to see on the shelf, and that inspires you. Invest in a well-made journal to stimulate your creative juices.
- Read. Curl up on the couch or window seat with a good book. This simple pleasure can be relaxing, informative, or stimulating.
- Think positive thoughts. You create your reality. The thoughts you carry every day lead you toward your expectations. Positive thoughts lead to positive results, just as negative thoughts attract more negativity. Surround yourself with positive energy and this energetic vibe will be infused into your lifestyle and daily habits.
- Plan ahead. Life happens. Unexpected delays and obstacles can create frustration and anxiety. If you have created alternative options by thinking ahead to create a back-up plan, it will be easier to handle these annoying situations. Maybe leave the house earlier than strictly necessary to give yourself a cushion to allow for rush hour traffic – it might be nice to sit in traffic thinking “good thing I planned ahead”, rather than honking the horn and contributing to the road rage crowd.
- Adopt a pet. A dog or cat can provide unconditional love and support. They will lift your spirits in more ways than can be expressed. Dogs can motivate you to exercise and are always around for a cuddle. However, before you consider a pet, make sure you have the financial security and freedom to look after the financial, physical, and emotional demands of the animal. And if you decide they need more commitment than you can afford right now, you can always foster or volunteer with rescue group or the local animal shelter.
- Be generous. Share your knowledge, time, and wealth. You might be surprised at the satisfaction you feel inside. And the gratitude of the recipient of your generosity.
- Stimulate your brain. Grab a crossword puzzle or enjoy the Sudoku in your morning newspaper on the commute to work. These fun little games are quick and help stimulate your brain to keep your mind sharp.
- Find daily alone time. Between work, the kids, your spouse, and your friends, it might seem like you don’t get a single moment to yourself. Find that moment. This could just be shutting the doors and taking a 20 minute bath. You need to find time to reflect and relax and this is best done by yourself. If you don’t make yourself a priority, don’t be surprised if you eventually find out that you’ve lost yourself. Or you find yourself so overwhelmed or fragile you feel like you might break.
- Pamper yourself. Self-care includes getting rid of those daily kinks. A great way to melt your stress away is to pamper yourself with a deep therapeutic massage. If you cannot afford a monthly massage, then look to your spouse or partner and swap massages. Buy oil, light candles, and turn your living room into your own private spa.
- Drink tea. Tea has calming powers that can do wonders for your spirit. Try chamomile or green tea and indulge in the tantalizing tastes and natural goodness.
- Smile and make eye contact. Let your facial expressions do the talking. A smile and eye contact with a stranger can release a spark within you and can brighten up someone else’s day.
- Catch up with friends and family. Sometimes our schedules get so busy that we simply cannot fit in time to reconnect with family and friends. It can be difficult to find a balance between between work and play. Maybe make a lunch date to catch up with your friends. It can be hard to stay in touch sometimes, but it’s important to try.
- Forgive. Forgiveness starts deep within, and is one of the most important steps of self-care. It is important to find a way to forgive others, but it is even more important to forgive yourself. Know that you did the best you could on any given day, and be gentle with yourself and your past choices. You can create a better tomorrow from your new perspective. Step away from that heavy burden and look toward the new future you’ve decided to create.