10 Activities to Reduce Stress

Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed and need time to myself to reduce stress, rejuvenate and refresh. Life can get very heavy and exhausting which is why I constructed a list of ten activities to reduce stress. Bonus, they are screen free.

Plant a Garden

This is one of my favorite ways to refresh and take off stress. Getting my hands dirty and working with Mother Nature, there’s something about it that feels so magical. It’s like my stress melts away into the soil and I feel alive again. If you don’t have space for a garden you could always try planting in pots. It’s nice to surround yourself with pretty flowers and the greens in nature.

Go for a Walk to Reduce Stress Levels

Exercise releases endorphins and helps you reduce stress. You could pair your walk with some of your favorite music to soothe your soul. I like to create playlists based on my moods. That way I can easily go to the songs I’m feeling without having to remember them all.

Reduce Stress by Sitting in Nature

Honestly this is one of my top stress reducing activities as well. It doesn’t matter whether it is your backyard, the beach, a nature preserve, or the woods just go be. Soak in the sounds of nature and pair it with some some breathing exercises. Breathe in your nose deeply and out your mouth. Notice the smells. When I’m feeling extremely anxious I will name three things for each of my senses. It helps to bring me into the present.

Do Yoga and Meditate

I like the combination of the two together. Yoga helps to loosen me up so I can meditate better. The combination is a great way to create calmness and de stress. It is also said to enhance concentration. Personally I really enjoy this activity in the evenings after the day is done and I can just relax and be. If you have the space why not create a little meditation nook?

Have a Spa Night

There are many ways to treat oneself to a nice spa night. If you want to go big you could make appointments with professionals and get a nice massage or facial. If you are a little more of a homebody or want to stick to a budget you could set yourself up with a spa night at home. The blog Advice from Nobody has a great post about how to have a budget spa day at home Link here .

Read a Book

Getting lost in a good book can take you out of stressful things going on in your daily life. Not only is reading a way to reduce stress but it also helps to improve literacy and concentration. My favorite time to read is a summer night, listening to the crickets chirping. I can feel the stress melt away just thinking about it.

Play an Instrument

Even if you aren’t a musician or you don’t know how to play it can still be fun to make a little noise. It’s not too difficult to learn a quick jingle or create your own on a keyboard or kalimba. My dad had a harmonica and keyboard that he would mess with when I was a kid. This stress reducing activity is also a great way to enrich your memory and coordination skills.

Cook a Nice Meal

I was never one for cooking until more recently. It was more of a stress trigger than a stress reducing activity. My husband though has always enjoyed the process. Within the past year I have learned to appreciate it. There is a creativity that comes with cooking that I’ve found makes me happy. I’ve enjoyed improving my skills and trying new foods.

Journal to Reduce Stress

Journaling has always been a stress reducer for my soul. It’s how I work through problems and emotions. You don’t have to be a good writer to journal. In fact there are tons of ways to make it your own. If your more artsy you could create a journal with just drawings, paintings or whatever makes you happy. I personally like to write out my feelings or create poems.

Organize or Clean While Singing and Dancing

Focus on organizing or cleaning something you have been putting off. Put on some upbeat music that you enjoy singing and dancing too. Did you know singing can actually help with pain relief? So sing your little heart out. This will make the process so much more fun and when you are finished you will feel a lot lighter knowing that mess you’ve been procrastinating on is complete.