Category: TALK

Featured Photo by James Wheeler

Feeling overwhelmed but stuff seems to keep piling up and attacking you? Having no idea how to stop stress, how to be calm, how not to stress or what to do when stressed out? I have been there, many times. Here are 5 things that ALWAYS work for me RIGHT AWAY when I am feeling stressed. Hope these little tricks can help you reduce anxiety and stay calm as well.

1. FAST – FRESH AIR, SUNLIGHT AND TREES

Japanese word KOMOREBI means sunlight filtered throughout tree leaves. Do you feel instantly better when looking at the picture? Well, you don’t have to go into the forests every time when you feel stressed. At least get out of your scene fast and find fresh air. If you can go outside, take a walk, look up to the sun (or sky) and get close to trees would be ideal. But you get the idea, go anywhere else and find nature.

2. BREATH IN AND … OUT

Take few deep breathes, and try to focus your mind on the breath and nothing else. If you find it hard emptying your thoughts, make a sound and focus on that sound while breathing in and out. Do it for at least a few seconds and take as long as you need.

3. GIVE A SQUEEZE, LET IT GO

This trick I learnt from Daniel Tiger works great when muscles need extra relaxation since they are so tense. Just tense and release your muscles and your body will feel more relaxed afterward. (Progressive muscle relaxation)

4. IF YOU CAN’T SOLVE IT, LAUGH AT IT

As hard as it sounds, accept the situation and try laugh at it. When stressed, I sometimes animated my situation in most exaggerating fashion in my head, like I turned into a crazy chicken with a trident battling hundreds of minions then I will start to laugh. If you can laugh at and make fun of your situation, it will instantly become less stressful.

5. HAVE SOME YUMMY FOOD

Even if you are one of those who lose the entire appetite under stress, still never underestimate the healing power of food. (remember Eat Pray Love?) Actually, pay extra attention what you eat under stress. I, like rest of many, will quickly turn to high sodium, high sugar junk food under stress. I find a quick fix is to think about comfort food that reminds you good times and arouses positive feelings, like something you had on a date, at a party, or something that always make you feel better after a tough day.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you have more than a few minutes, exercise, yoga, meditation, talk with trusted ones or seeking professional help. There are many many ways to still enjoy the beauty of life under stress. Hope everyone can still feel the Sun even when blocked by clouds sometimes.