20 Simple Ways To Alleviate Your Stress
I like to have a busy schedule, serious responsibilities, and a new task always in the distance. But, while I enjoyed the hustle, this lifestyle used to make me into the most uptight person you’d ever meet. Sure I’d cover it up with a smile and overly bubbly welcome if I saw you. But inwardly, my mind would be spinning around a thousand possibilities, impending tasks, responsibilities, bad outcomes, and potential impending doom. 😉
A couple of years back I decided I didn’t want to live my life that way anymore. I wanted to be busy, fully give myself into every aspect of my life, but still maintain composure and peace. I saw that when stressed and anxious, I was wholly prevented from appropriately loving and caring for other people. So I’ve come up with little methods and attitude changes that help me calm and reset my focus on what matters, during the days when I felt most overwhelmed. Here are a few of those ideas … I hope they help and encourage you like they do me!
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Spend a few minutes in the word.
Often stress comes from feelings of overwhelm and inadequateness. Jesus sees you as a powerful warrior, as a strong asset to the kingdom of God. That is an encouraging and empowering reality! Satan fears you. He wants you to feel powerless, stressed, and unworthy. If the only thing you do today is carry on with a smile and a kind word on your lips, then you WON. If you’re walking in Joy, then that is a success! No matter what anxiety, self-doubt, trials, or worries are plaguing you, stop, and remind yourself: God wants me to be filled with Joy. He has complete control over this situation. He cares deeply about me, right now, in this moment. He cares!
Here are a few of my favorite scriptures to combat stress:
- Isaiah 41:10
- Matthew 11:28-30
- John 14:27
- Colossians 3:15
- 2 Thessalonians 3:16
- Psalm 55:22
- 1 Peter 5:6-8
- Psalm 23:4
- Psalm 56:3
- Matthew 6:25-34
- Philippians 4:6-7
- Psalm 94:19
2. Get off SOCIAL MEDIA!
Ok, now I work with social media for a living 😉 So I’m not saying delete all of your accounts and go live as a hermit somewhere in the woods. BUT, I recommend everyone purposefully taking at least 1 hour completely off social media per day.
3. Five Minute Journal
THE SIMPLEST WAY TO START YOUR DAY HAPPY – The Five Minute Journal focuses your attention on the good in your life.
COMPLAIN LESS, APPRECIATE MORE – The Five Minute Journal helps you cultivate gratitude.
FINALLY KEEP A JOURNAL – With a simple structured format that takes just 5 minutes, The Five Minute Journal is simple, quick, and effective. Whatever your excuse for not keeping a journal is, this journal will eliminate them.
– I highly recommend this purchase and incorporating it into your daily routine!
4. Scents Up!
Did you know that studies have been done that show aromatherapy can be a great way to relieve stress? Just like freshly cut grass on a summers day can bring back happy childhood memories, other scents may help calm and relax you.
I’m a full on, Pumpkin Spice Sparkle candle type of girl. At least till recently, when I discovered that there are TONS of toxic and harmful chemicals in most all candles. Even if you’re looking at a company that promotes their candles as all natural, double check those ingredients and stay informed of what you’re exposing your body to.
I recommend Young Living’s 5 drops of Frankincense with 5 drops of Lavender in one of their diffusers. I work from home, so those scents help calm and focus me. The diffuser I own runs for up to 10 hours, so I can keep my apartment smelling lovely, fresh, and peaceful!
(Here is the link to go through when you purchase something from Young Living. You’ll want to begin with a starter kit (it comes with Lavender, Frankincense, a diffuser, and several other items!) and when you sign up you get 24% off and no further obligations to make a purchase unless desired.)
5. Listen to music
Calming music can improve your mood and lift your spirits. Try one of Spotify’s playlists or curate your own!
6. Drink Tea
Boil some water and make yourself a relaxing cup of chamomile or refreshing peppermint.
7. Reduce your caffeine intake.
I know it’s easy to grab that extra cup of coffee late morning or early afternoon when you’re starting to feel overwhelmed or tired. Doing this will likely interfere with your sleep pattern and exhaust you further when you have a caffeine crash later! Caffeine has also been proven to increase stress in many cases, so even if you don’t get a caffeine crash, you’ll be doing yourself a favor but putting down that extra cup. If you need to drink something hot, refer to #6 😉
8. ART project
Take 30 minutes to an hour and try an art project. It doesn’t take much, and if you have littles, they can participate alongside you with their own pens and paper.
Adult coloring books have increasingly become common, and there’s a reason for it! It’s relaxing! If you’re feeling adventurous, ditch the adult coloring books and grab some pens and a paper and create something from scratch. Or try watercolor! Whatever option best suits you! Amazon offers a variety of fun, wallet-friendly options.
Recommendations:
9. SLEEP
Speaking of relaxing, GET MORE SLEEP! I cannot emphasize this enough. It’s not always even about the physical act of sleeping, but our bodies need time to rest and rejuvenate. Being tired can heighten levels of stress and anxiety, not to mention weaken your immune system.
If you like, take an afternoon nap! Personally, I refrain from these as I always wake up feeling less rested than when I went down, and often they’ll cause difficulty in falling asleep later. But for some people, it’s the perfect solution to a lack of sleep.
10. Exercise
Exercising has scientifically been shown to improve your mood. Hello endorphins 😉 If you’re feeling stressed, working out is probably last on your list, but take it from me, it’s worth it. Try to get your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes each day. Push through those first miserable feelings, if I’m stressed, the first 10-15 minutes are hard, but after that, I begin to feel instantly happier and energized.
Try to commit to this for 3 weeks and see how it becomes easier, even something you look forward to!
11. Take a walk
Wait, didn’t you just tell me to exercise? I’m not talking about working out here; I’m talking about only 30 minutes of you spending time outdoors, breathing in the fresh air, not focusing on the issues behind your stress. Instead, try to think of 3 positive things you know to be true about your life currently! This will look different for each person, for example:
- I have a loving family
- God treasures me
- Whatever happens, I know there is nothing more I can do except the next right thing.
12. Laugh more!
Compile a youtube list of your favorite comedians, humorous videos, etc. to watch on a rainy day. When you’re feeling stressed, it’s good to take a moment and laugh. If youtube videos aren’t your thing, try a couple of episodes of a comedy show!
13. Encourage someone
Stress can sometimes result from us focusing so much on our own failures or shortcomings that it becomes hard for us to feel self-worth. What can help that? Reach out to two of your friends, send them a text, email, phone call, whatever works best for you! Sincerely compliment, encourage, or admire them. This may lift their spirits, but also never underestimate the impact it has on your heart when you do something to bless someone else.
14. Power of Cacao
Eat some chocolate! It’s been shown to improve one’s mood, tastes delicious, and several kinds (at least 65% cacao) actually have good health benefits. Win, win, win! Order this ahead of time, so you don’t find yourself in a stress crisis, chocolate free. (Been there, done that 😉 )
15. Keep a clean room.
I know, I know, life is busy, things are flying at you at an alarming rate. But having a clean room to crash in at the end of a long day can make a huge difference! Cultivate your bedroom space. Make your bedroom a lovely haven with a couple of your favorite things. Buy a few pretties; it doesn’t take much!
Here are some ideas:
- Faux Sheepskin rug
- Diffuser to keep your room smelling nice! (Lavender + Frankincense is a great nighttime blend! )
- Rose Gold geometric lights
- Sweet Dreams Prints
- Faux Fur Saucer Chair
16. Snuggle
Yes, really! Find a comfy blanket – if you don’t have one, honestly, go get one! 😉 – and spend a little time snuggling with your little ones, pet, or simply pop yourself some popcorn, put on a movie, Crawl under your snuggly blanket, and take a short break to watch your favorite show!
17. Home Spa
Spa’s are expensive, and most everyone doesn’t have the time to visit regularly. So setup a quick little home spa! Purchase these items beforehand and have at ready for the perfect day.
- Young Living Lavender Bath Bomb’s
- Young Living Citrus Fresh Shower Steamers
- Face Scrub
- Face Mask
- Nail polish
18. Plan something
If plans stress you out, make it simple! 😉 Try planning an afternoon coffee with a friend, a few hours in town next week, friends over for dinner. Each person has something different that they enjoy, so having something individual that you’ll enjoy looking forward to, can do wonders if you’re feeling stuck.
19. Bake
This doesn’t have to be Martha Stewart from-scratch cupcakes! Go pickup – or even better, keep in your pantry- a few deluxe chocolate cake mixes. It will only take a few minutes, and you have a yummy reward when they’re done! (a brownie now and again is not going to kill you! 😉 )
Check out Chelsia Rief’s Easy Texas sheet cake recipe! She has several other recipes I bet you’d love as well!
20. Commit to a stress relief habit, and stick with it!
Whether it’s walking, baking, or talking to a friend, find something that helps and works for you, and incorporate it into your routine. Some things, like exercise and sleeping well, should be a part of your daily routine anyways, but pick one or more other activity, and have the available tools ready for when you need them! Be aware of your mental state, and when you’re beginning to feel down, you can have preventative measures set in place.
Essentially Joy
To order any of the Young Living products, please sign up as a retail or wholesale customer. You’d be joining team Essentially Joy, and well, it’s all in the name 
If you haven’t heard of Young Living before, I’d love to talk more about it with you! contactcambria@gmail.com
In purchasing your starter kit, you become a part of Young Living, and have exclusive access to incredible health and wellness products including everything from toxic free cleaning products to natural toothpaste, to a baby line, to supplements!
Living a toxic-free lifestyle doesn’t have to be complicated, it can be hassle-free, and fun. So, I hope these methods help you like they have been helping me!
Xoxo –
Cambria Jacobson
**Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information represents what I, an Independent Distributor of Young Living Essential Oils, have chosen to do to take charge of my own personal health. Statements here have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using these products. Be advised; some essential oils require caution when being used on or around young children and pets.
