According to Webster’s Dictionary, stress is defined as “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.”
Can I get an AMEN?
As women, our stress level varies by the day, hour or minute depending on what our surroundings are. We are constantly worried about our spouse, children and the people around us even if we aren’t conscious of it.
There are some things I have found to help de-stress me. Self-care is good for the soul and more than the Instagram posts talking about it. We need to take care of ourselves so that we can then take care of others. One of my favorite self-care quotes that I found comes from Eleanor Brown:
“Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”
So when I start doubting if I need to take time for myself, I always tell myself “you can’t pour from an empty cup!”
Here are a few of my proven self-care activities that have been good for my soul:
Write.
This can be about anything and does not need to make sense to anyone else. You can simply write down the words that come to you or maybe you need to get some things “off” of you – write them down then tear them up or burn the paper. Your worries are now gone, and there is something truly freeing about writing something off and letting it go!
Music
“Where words fail, music speaks.” – Shakespeare. A cool room after the kids go to bed, your favorite candle burning or essential oil diffusing, and some soft music playing in the background. Breathe in, breathe out … thank your higher power and spend some down time.
Bubble Bath.
Same as above but add hot water and bubbles that are moisturizing your skin.
A grateful journal.
Nothing makes stress melt away like remembering what you have to be thankful for. Think small – a green light on the way to school, a big hug from your preschooler, or an extra easy bedtime. Soon the thankful thoughts will overcome your brain.
Coffee & a good book.
Reading escapes you from your current world into a world of someone else. This allows you to forget what is going on around you have a little vacation.
You may be reading this and thinking – yeah right, I don’t have time for that! I get it, I really do. Finding time in the busy lives we lead is very difficult. My suggestion for you is schedule it. Maybe it is every Tuesday from 8:30pm to 10:30pm you will not clean the house, you will not get on social media, and you will simply breathe and spend some time feeding your soul. Talk to your spouse, I promise they want you to feel better and less stressed. Let’s be honest, they’re probably perks in that for them, too!
