What do you do when you’re already exhausted, you have too much on your to-do list and then you’re hit with something unexpected that pushes you full on into a stress spiral? Before you start free falling, try one of these quick tricks to put things in perspective:
- Stay in the moment - A lot of times it’s not what’s happening right now that’s stressing us out, it’s the anticipation of what’s going to happen. Try asking yourself “Am I okay right this second?” and continue asking whenever you need a positive affirmation.
- Get friends to cheer you on - Tell your BFFs when you’re having a rough time and ask them to send you empowering texts, funny GIFs, or cute baby goat photos. Then before your scary meeting with your boss, check your messages for a dose of positivity when you need it most.
- Sip some peppermint tea - And enjoy it mindfully, as in feel the warmth of the cup in your hands, inhale the steam and sip slowly. Plus, peppermint has been scientifically proven to have calming effects on the nervous system and the digestive system.
- Imagine everything working out perfectly - Positive visualization may seem like something from a cheesy 90s self-help book, but research shows it works. So when you’re worried you’ll bomb your big presentation, imagine feeling relaxed and confident as you engage the audience with your delivery.
- Look on the bright side, even if you really don’t want to - It’s easy to dwell on the things that could go wrong, but staying optimistic pays off. According to a study from Stanford University School of Medicine, kids who stayed positive had better grades and achieved more than those with negative attitudes.
- Listen to your favorite song - Crank up the tune that makes you happy inside, even if it’s totally embarrassing, because a study from Switzerland finds listening to music can ease stress levels and help the body’s ability to recover from stress.
Source: PureWow