Hi Friends. I’m writing this with my hair, wet, piled on top of my head, smelling like Sponge Bob watermelon bubble bath and listening to the top 50 songs of the 90’s. Sometimes life is so exciting and fun that it stresses me out. Silliest thing ever. I wish I could just be happy for the awesomeness that is my life and be nothing but grateful for who I am. But sometimes I cry for no reason at all. I literally can not think of what is making me cry or even what triggered the tears. This is why I’m thankful that I always have my understanding husband near by to rub my back, draw a bath and tell me ‘it’s ok.’ It’s ok to cry, life is ok, everything is ok. I know, as a woman, as a mom, as a sister, daughter and friend, we put on our best face when we see friends and family. We get to see our friends and family such a small amount that I don’t ever want to waste time not being happy while I’m with them. Sometimes I just need a distraction from…well life I guess. I need to make my brain stop thinking about the laundry I need to do or the mulch I need to spread or the bottles that need to be made (all of these things were pushed aside for my bath tonight.) Stress sucks and sometimes you just need to do something else.
My all-time best stress reliever is to color. I could color for an entire day. I especially love coloring with someone. You have to find something that you enjoy coloring though. My favorite medium is Crayola crayons and I like coloring design books. My newest coloring book is Secret Garden because it takes so long to complete a page (of which I have yet to do) and the pictures are beautiful! Doing my nails and painting also helps to focus my mind towards creativity. 
Bubble baths are another way I relax. I force myself to not think, which is basically meditation. I have a hard time meditating, so to block out thoughts, I have a mantra I like to say. As I inhale through my nose, I say ‘Thank you’ and as I exhale I say ‘I love you.’ It helps refocus my mindset to a positive place. 
Playing a game also helps me snap out of a funk. We have a TON of board games but I also really like Dance Central and Rock Band. I enjoy our board games because I have to strategize while playing and I just plain LOVE singing and dancing so DC and RB are an obvious fit for me. Again, for me, these things are better when there’s a lot of people but I also really like when it’s just Jeffrey and I playing. 
Being outside is a great way to help me relieve stress. The sun really affects my mood, so if it’s sunny, being outside automatically helps me feel better. For me, planting flowers is my favorite hobby while outside but a lot of people find walking, reading or playing sports to be the best way to relieve stress. 
Another great way to calm my mind is to escape in a book. I’m a teen nerd girl at heart and love reading YA books. I’m usually reading a few books at a time so I can choose based on my mood. I’ll switch it up between a YA/beach read and something educational/motivational.
I really want to go do all of these things right now! What are some of the methods you use to help relieve stress? I’m always up for trying something new!
Oh you poor thing – I hate stress… and I love your way to reducing stress. I would love to sit down and color – what a great idea. Personally – I write… I sit down and just start to type away, half of it never makes any sense or gets deleted – but that’s my way of reducing stress.
Come color with me Tove! 😉 I wish writing was a good outlet for me. I’m hoping that blogging with help with my interest in writing as a stress reliever. I used to write in journals about what was bothering me but looking back at the journals I don’t think it was helpful.
I like to snuggle with my 10 month old son, Maddox and baking is another big get a away since I can’t just pick up and leave I have to pick a room! 🙂
Sophie really does make me happy as well. As long as she’s happy, it’s the best way to make me smile. 🙂
Baking is my getaway – it’s a stress reliever because I can just get all wrapped up in the recipe it’s the only time my brain isn’t thinking about packing a diaper bag and doing laundry.
Good idea Mackenzie! I should start baking more. I have a TON of cook books and one of my goals for 35 by 35 is to complete everything in the Max Brenner book! I’ll have to find some poor saps to take all my treats though. 😉
Freestyle writing or walking, or a bubble bath. Also reading. I am a book nerd myself!
What about freestyle walking? 😉 hehe Any favorite books I need to check out?!
These are all great relievers for sure! I too enjoy coloring endlessly, it’s one of my favorite things to do 🙂
Lately, I’ve been allowing myself to get lost in a book.
Annnnnnd heck yes a bubble bath is everything, especially with candles and a book!
XOXO
I wish you still lived in IL so we could meet up for a day of coloring once/month! 🙂 What books have you been loving lately?
Love the photos you chose for this blog post, especially of you reading! I love reading when I’m stressed, too. Sending huge hugs!
😀 Do you like my ‘smart girl’ glasses and the fact that I’m reading a history book?! x
I love your suggestions! I also cuddle with my poodle to relieve stress. Most of the time, his sweet puppy smell and soft fur take all my stress away. I also like to go out and get a special drink. Usually a change of scenery and a delicious beverage is enough to perk me up.
Awwwe great ideas Megan. My pup, Lexi, always knows when I’m sad and stays right by me giving me lots of kisses. 🙂 A special drink sounds like a good idea…Smoothie King actually sounds REALLY good right now…or possibly a mango martini… <3
I kinda love that you love to color and that book is so intricate! I used to have flower coloring books as a teenager. I never thought about it being a stress reliever now, but after reading this, I want to get that secret garden book and start up again! I also love doing my nails and reading for fun to relieve stress. Working out helps me too.
Let me know if you get the book! We can send each other pictures of our finished pages 🙂 Working out really does help…why is it so hard to get started though??
Great list, Shelly! I love to color too. That Secret Garden book looks so fun!! I like geometric designs to color. And I’ve got a new est of colored pencils hidden from the kids, just for me!
I love the geometric coloring books too! That’s so funny! I have a carousel of crayons that I don’t let anyone use!