10 Ways to Relieve Stress In 2021
It might have been a stressful 2020, but we have made it to 2021, and that is something to be grateful for. However, for many of us, the last year’s stress has been carried over onto this year, whether that be financial, work, or home related.
We can all agree that we would like this year to be as stress-free as possible and with the end looking nearer we hope to achieve this. We have gathered 10 ways that you can help relieve stress throughout the year.
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Create Some Goals
Every year we set New Year Resolutions, and why should this year be any different. Please spend some time thinking about what you want to achieve this year; write them down. Maybe your goal is to travel more, learn a new skill, or maybe read more. Whatever it is, having goals to focus on will keep you motivated and, in turn, less stressed.
Ways to Relieve Stress: Meditate
Spending time at either the beginning or end of the day to meditate can be a great way to calm the mind and destress. If you are new to meditating, then there are many videos online or apps you can use to help you. Calm or Headspace are great examples of apps you can use to practice meditation anytime and anywhere.
Get Active
Getting active and exercising is great for your mental health. Exercising releases endorphins, which trigger a positive feeling throughout your body. If you are a novice in working out, start by taking a brisk walk each day for about 10-20 minutes to get your heart rate up. Getting outside and breathing in the fresh air surrounded by nature lowers your cortisol, which in turn dampens your stress hormones.
Ways to Relieve Stress: Make A Financial Plan
The last year has affected everyone financially, so make 2021 the year to save and better your financial situation. The first step is to write down all your expenses and income and see what costs you can cut to help save you money. Make it an aim to pay off any loans or credit cards. By doing this, you will start to see your savings grow, and once you have a bit of money behind you, you can start to think about investing or learning about the benefits of compounded interest. Putting all this in place will help you become less stressed about your finances.
Practice Yoga
Yoga has many health benefits, including physically allowing your body to stretch and realign and bring calm to your mind. Find a yoga class near you, or find some online videos to get you started. After a couple of weeks, you will find that you feel more relaxed and flexible.
Connect With People
Over the last year, we have realized how important it is to stay in touch with our loved ones. Human interaction is beneficial for our mental health in many ways, especially if you live alone. Take advantage of modern technology and stay in touch with loved ones via video chat, calls, and texts. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other people if you are feeling down or lonely. Plan a video call with loved ones or, if you can, try to meet up outside, a social distance of course (always check what government guidelines and restrictions are in place before doing so).
Write Down What You Are Grateful For
2020 was a very stressful year so take a moment to write down a few things that make you grateful. It might be something small like being grateful you have a comfy bed or to hear the birds in the morning. Sometimes we forget to be thankful for the little things we take for granted; stopping and allowing ourselves to really appreciate our lives can make us feel calmer, less stressed, and more grounded.
Rage Room
If you feel particularly stressed and need to let off some steam, consider hiring out a rage room for an hour to help you get all the anger out. A rage room is a room that is filled with breakable objects that you are allowed to smash, punch, and throw around at your own pleasure. Some people find it a therapeutic way to release stress. If you think this is right up your street, then find a local rage room near you today.
Journal
Some people find it helpful to write their thoughts and feelings down on paper. It is a good way to release any stress or worry you might be feeling. Every time you feel like you need to rant about something affecting your life, write it down instead and then address it at a later date when your mind has calmed down.
Separate Where You Work And Sleep
If you are finding it hard to sleep at night, this could be down to stress. With most people working from home, it can be hard to switch our brains off after work, especially when our workplace is also our home. To combat this, ensure that your working area is not located where you sleep.
Bonus Tip – Make Time For You A Priority
Sometimes it can be hard to stop and take a moment for ourselves. Make you a priority this year, and take time out of your day to look after yourself. Allocate 30 minutes a day to do something for you, whether reading a book, catching up on your programs, or taking an uninterrupted bath. Taking time to switch off your brain will help you reset and, inturn feel less stressed. Once restrictions lift, think about taking a break away so you can completely relax and switch your brain off to day to day life.
We hope that these tips have helped you plan your year and that they bring you some sense of calm during the chaos that surrounds us. Whilst you are here, check out New Year New Budget: January Budgeting Tricks Anyone Can Use.
