Stressed Out? 10 Activities to Help You De-Stress

The digital age has brought on advances in technology that has helped us become more productive. Unfortunately, it also brings with it the feeling that everything needs to happen at such a break-neck speed otherwise, you will miss out on opportunities. This same feeling coupled with being online and connected all the time is also the cause of stress in our daily lives. A recent global survey participated in by 18,000 from 134 countries wanted to find out what people did to relax and get some rest. The result of the “The Rest Test” included the top 10 activities that will help one de-stress.

1. Reading

On top of the list is reading, which is undoubtedly my own favorite way to chill out. For me, nothing beats going through an actual book (not an e-book). There is something about physically flipping the pages and smelling the print (weird, I know) that relaxes me. Couple that will a good, steaming cup of brewed coffee, I can lose myself in reading. It does not matter if it’s pulp fiction, serious fiction or non-fiction, give me a book, and a quiet place to read and I will be a happy-camper.

2. Enjoying nature

I am fortunate to live in a city that still has some green patches left. A quick fix for me is taking a drive to Camp John Hay and walking under the pine trees. If I am physically exhausted, I will just sit on one of the picnic benches, and enjoy the cool breeze.

3. Spending some time alone

As a mother of a one-year old boy, most of my time at home is spent tending to his needs. As a co-manager of a 5-person household, I can be overwhelmed by endless chores and things to do. So, I am thankful that my husband and the kids can support me sometimes whenever I need to go out and spend some quality time with myself. Thirty minutes with my favorite book and a cappuccino could do wonders to my temperament and sanity.

4. Listening to music

This has become a luxury for me too, but whenever I have time alone, I plug in my earphones and listen to my favorite tracks. These past months, it has been Pentatonix, the Piano Guys, Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson and Lady Antebellum. Whatever your favorites are, they are bound to loosen you up a bit.

5. Just hanging out, doing nothing

Admittedly, I am not too fond of this activity and rightly so. According to the survey, this is a popular activity in almost any age bracket, except for the age bracket I belong to: 31 to 45 year-olds.

6. Walking

One of the surprises in the survey is the fact that an activity that requires you to get up and be physical such as walking is among the top 10. As I mentioned in another article of mine on how walking is good for your health, it is one way for you to relax and clear your mind when needed. And it is something that can be easily done.

7. Taking a bath or a shower

For a busy mom like me, hot showers are something I look forward to at the end of a long and tiring day. If you are lucky enough to have a bathtub to soak in, go ahead and indulge. Whenever I am at an out of town event where I get to stay in a hotel, a hot soak is something I look forward to.

8. Daydreaming

I am guilty of this sometimes, but seeing it on the top 10 of restful activities takes away some of the guilt. Whenever I need a break from writing or if I just need to rest my eyes, I take a deep breath, look out my window and let my mind wander.

9. Watching TV

According to the report, this activity is among the popular choices of the younger participants in the survey, and among more women than men.

10. Meditating or practicing mindfulness

Although I don’t practice meditation, I try to find some time to empty my mind even for just a bit. The survey noted that this activity’s appearance in the list indicated that it has become more popular these days.

The study’s principal investigator also noted that the activities that were listed were “frequently done on one’s own.” She also added that the balance between relaxation and work may not only be in the “total hours resting or working that we need to consider, but the rhythms of our work, rest, and time with and without others.”