Last weekend, Barb Steinberg, LMSW lead a workshop on how to empower girls. One of the ways she mentioned was to have them make a list of “stress busters.” Stress busters are things you do to relax and self soothe. And even though the workshop was catered to young girls, having a tool box of things that calm and relax you is a life skill everyone should have. In an effort to remind myself to take time out, here’s my list of stress busters.
31 Stress Busters
photo credit
- Reading
- Cuddling
- Dancing
- Preening
- Taking bubble baths
- Taking hot showers
- Baking
- Journaling
- Dancing
- Playing with pets
- Playing with children
- Decluttering
- Exercising
- Cleaning
- Connecting with friends
- Breathing
- Performing random acts of kindness
- Watching favorite TV shows
- Saying no when feeling overextended
- Saying yes to only the things I truly want to do
- Paying down debt
- Creating something (even if it’s just a napkin doodle!)
- Meal planning to reduce amount of money and time spent at grocery stores
- Getting enough sleep
- Staying hydrated
- Treating myself
- Admiring scenery (e.g.: look up at the clouds, notice the sunset, appreciate the beauty of flowers)
- Getting the hard action items off my to do list first
- Dating myself (e.g.: solo trips to movies, restaurants, and museums)
- Laughing
- Sipping on a warm beverage