Take a Break from Stress

We have all had stress over dealing with the pandemic and even things in life right now can be very stressful. When the world is full of health problems and other crisis’s it can be hard to deal with the things such as school, sports, and family.

You might find that you need to have a mental break for yourself and get off of social media for a while or stop watching the news.

When you feel stress coming, you have to learn to realize how you react and if you begin to get snappy or if you start to be annoying to other people around you.

You may realize that stress brings on tension in your body and it can cause you to have a tight chest or a headache.

This happens because your mind and body are always running and when you don’t take time to shut it down, it slowly starts to get stressed.

Everyone needs to have a mental break here and there. They need to turn off things from the outside world and spend time doing things that are stress free. Everyone needs to have a reset here and there.

Stress and anxiety can come to you because you don’t take time for a mental break. This can leave your mind wondering and going back and forth all day, every day.

Do something helpful for you such as go for a run or focus on your breathing. Take time to focus on what is going on in your life now and not worry about the future.

Take a shower or go for a swim. Enjoy how the water feels on your body and meditate while you concentrate on the good things in your life.

When you are done, allow your brain to wash itself clean and be energized and calm.

Here are some ways you can take a mental break:

Breathing

Practice your breathing. We often times get so caught up in life that we even forget to breath. There are different breathing techniques that you can do that can help to reduce stress in your body. It can help your nervous system to be stronger.

Give your mind a break and do this anywhere that you are.

Breathing Technique:

• Breathe deep in and hold it.
• Breathe in and hold it till the count of 10.
• Breathe out for the count of 10.
• Repeat

Being Mindful

Be mindful about what you are thinking and what you are doing in your life. Learn to slow down when you need to and pay attention to the things you automatically do.

Pay attention and stop doing things because of habits. The brain loves when we repeat things and when we follow habits because it allows us to do things without thinking. It keeps our brain busy, but our mind is not really concentrating on things that are important.

Be mindful with what is going on in your life. Be mindful while you are driving and pay attention to how the sun feels and roll down your window and see how the wind feels in your face. This can help you to take a mental break.

Mindful Mental Break Ideas:

• Take the lid off of the shampoo bottle and see how it feels.
• Stop daydreaming and set your mind on a path.
• Shampoo your hair and see how the massage feels.
• Know the thoughts you are having.
• Concentrate on the sound of the water running.
• Realize your thoughts are your own.

Pay attention to the thoughts that go through your mind as you are doing this.

Meditating

Meditating is one thing you can do to get rid of stress. You can start small and do a few minutes a day. There is no real way to mediate, and you cannot do it wrong.

Meditation helps you to have thoughts in your mind but to direct them to important things such as breathing.

Every time you go back to your thoughts, breathe again, and take a break.

Meditation Ideas

• Find a comfortable place that is quiet.
• Breathe deep and let it out.
• Keep doing this until your breathing is normal.
• If your mind wonders go back to deep breathing.
• End with a big breath out.

Nature

Spending time in nature can take away your stress and anxiety. This can help you to clear your mind and to breath in the fresh air.

This can reduce stress and allow your senses to come alive. Going outside can help you to feel curious and help you to feel excited.

You can go to nature and see it from a different point of view, and it allows you to have a break from life.

Sleep

Make sure that you get enough sleep and that you have quality sleep. Staying up too late can cause your mind to wander too much.

Sleep is important to keep you healthy and strong. When you have a hard time falling asleep, here are some things that you can do:

• Set your electronics down a half an hour before you go to bed.
• Take a hot bath.
• Do some Yoga.
• Make sure you have comfortable clothes to sleep in.
• Spray lavender on your pillow.
• Light a candle and relax.
• Read a book.
• Listen to calm music.

Going to bed can sometimes seem like a chore. It is something most people don’t look forward to. Do something to make it exciting and give your brain a rest that is needed after a long day.