3 Creative Tips to Tame Your Stress
When was the last time a lion chased after you? Probably never, right?
But your body may feel like it’s happening all the time. There’s even a chance that, as you’re reading this sentence, your body is currently caught up in a flight-or-fight mode.
You might be thinking about those errands you have to run or that new project your boss gave you at work. How in the world will you get it all done?!
And as your brain starts to race through each of these scenarios, it’s sending signals to your body that you’re in danger. That causes your body to react. Your heart races and your breath gets shallow.
If this sounds familiar, you aren’t alone. This fight-or-flight state is a stress response that’s fueled by the release of the hormone known as cortisol. But not all stress is bad. It only becomes a problem when it’s continual – and this past year hasn’t done us any favors. But lowering your cortisol is more than saying “ohm” and drinking chamomile tea (though those really do help!).
Try calming your nerves with these three out-of-the-box tips:
1. Try Your Hand at Drawing
If you’re looking for a calmer and more centered mood, look no further than the pages of a sketchbook. Many of us drew or painted as children, and we did so just for the fun of it. We didn’t worry about how good it looked or if we were going to be the next Rembrandt – we just did it for the heck of it.
And guess what, you can still tap into that playful spirit today.
So, next time you feel the stress walls closing in, pick up some colored pencils or a paintbrush – even if it’s just for a few minutes – and doodle your worries away.
2. Create a Daily Ritual
Having a daily ritual that you look forward to every day is a great way to hit your internal reset button. So, think of something that you can do just for you. Something that brings you joy and gives you a bit of a sanity break. Jot down a few ideas, or you can swipe some of ours:
- Find a quiet spot to enjoy your breakfast each morning. (Tip: Don’t eat in your office or while you’re checking your email.)
- Sip on some tea in the evenings as you play a few of your favorite songs.
- Plant a small garden and savor taking care of your flowers or plants.
Your mind will feel comfortable and at peace with daily routines and habits, so creating a healthy micro-break is a perfect mental getaway.
3. De-Stress Based on Your Enneagram Type
The Enneagram personality model has been around for a loooong time, but it’s only recently gained popularity in the past decade or so.
The Enneagram system has nine distinct personality types, with each one describing how one views the world and manages their emotions, AKA their stress.
For example, a type one Enneagram is motivated by doing what’s right. They prize strong ethics and the need to be good. So, when they’re stressed, type ones tend to hold onto their views even tighter or judge themselves. For them, managing stress is all about finding ways to help them relieve that inner tension. That can include activities like journaling, watching a comedy (laughter is good medicine!), or taking a few extra breaks during the day.
So, if you don’t already know your Enneagram type, find out here, and get started learning the stress relief strategies that are right for you.
How Will You Tame Your Stress?
Although you can’t avoid stress entirely, there are a ton of things you can do to manage it naturally. For many, building up the strongest defense against stress means incorporating multiple holistic approaches into your normal routines.
If you need help putting together your anti-stress regiment, give our office a call. We love helping our patients melt their stress away!