DE-STRESS | Week 3 | Discover Easy Days to Relax by Getting Creative

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DE-STRESS | Week 3 | Discover Easy Days to Relax by Getting Creative

Kicking caffeine is a fantastic way to reduce stress long-term. However, that’s no good if you need to relieve tension right this second.

 

Whether at home or work, an easy way to relax can be to write about your feelings.

 

When your head is a tornado of emotions, it’s not always possible to disclose these to other people. Writing solves this problem by allowing you to channel your stress outwardly.

 

  • Carry a journal or create a file on your phone or tablet, where you can write out your feelings whenever you feel overwhelmed.
  • Write honestly, even if what you are writing wouldn’t usually make sense to another person.
  • Freely jot down thoughts, dreams, and details of stressful situations that otherwise always stay bottled up.

  

Writing feelings out is essentially a form of self-therapy. Just remember to keep where you write your most intimate thoughts far from prying eyes.

DE-STRESS | Week 2 | Kick Your Caffeine Habit

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DE-STRESS | Week 2 | Kick Your Caffeine Habit

At present, 94% of American workers cite high-stress as being a normal part of life. Sadly, one of the first things people do when stressed at work is reach for their nearest source of caffeine.

 

Coffee especially gives people a physical pick-me-up. This is because coffee is a stimulant. Sadly, this means that caffeine increases our heart rate and blood pressure. In both the short and long-term, this exasperates stress.

 

Are you a caffeine addict? If so, consider replacing coffee with green tea, camomile tea, or fresh juice. You won’t get the same physical kick. However, you will start noticing significantly reduced stress in the long-term.

DE-STRESS | Week 1 | Easy Ways to Relax with Breathing Exercises

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DE-STRESS Week 1: Easy Ways to Relax with Breathing Exercises

Make no mistake, chronic stress is physiologically damaging. The good news, though, is that there are physiological ways to counter feeling overwhelmed.

 

By far the easiest way to relax is to breathe. For optimal results, press the tip of your tongue behind your front teeth. Then, follow the simple steps below:

 

  • First, exhale fully through your mouth.
  • Next, breathe in long and continuously for 4-seconds through your nose.
  • After breathing in, hold your breath for 7-seconds.
  • Lastly, completely exhale through your mouth while counting to eight.

 

If you are experiencing high-stress, you are likely chest breathing. This fails to provide enough oxygen to your bloodstream. Breathing exercises like the above remedy this by helping reset your respiratory system.

 

**New Series Alert** DE-STRESS

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New Series: DE-STRESS

Feeling stressed? At this time of year, it’s natural. You are financially recouping after the festive season. Added to that, there is the shock of going back to work. However, stress can sometimes get out of control.

In any one year, 74% of people feel so stressed at some point, that they feel overwhelmed. Here, we’ll, therefore, look at a few easy ways to relax, even during high-stress situations.

Each week, we’ll bring you a new DE-STRESSing tip, so be sure to check in every Friday (the first one’s already up)!

3 Social Survival Tips For The Holidays

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3 Social Survival Tips For The Holidays

 

You just finished another Christmas movie on Netflix and have lost count on how many you’ve watched today alone. However, you don’t know if you can stomach another one because they all end the same. The small-town girl finds true love in the end. It’s normally with some big city guy who was only there to visit and ends up finding the true meaning of love. It can be nauseating. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean you have to dread the holidays. You don’t need to look at Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, or even Valentine’s Day as something to be bitter about. Here are three survival tips for lonely women on the holidays.

 

  1. Seek Connections

 

You’re not alone. There are others like you. Technology progressed far enough already where we have apps and websites that help us connect with others who might also be feeling lonely during the holidays. Even just a friendly exchange between two strangers can be enough to ward off feelings of loneliness.

 

  1. Restructure your Expectations

 

Turn off those Christmas movies as they’re only setting your expectations of how holidays like Christmas “should be.” Not everyone is going to have that perfect Cinderella story, and that’s okay. You should move your thinking away from believing that’s the only perfect way of living.

 

  1. Take Care Of Yourself First

 

It might sound cliché but taking care of yourself first might help you get out of that funk. Going to a spa or joining a new gym where you can work up your confidence and self-esteem can help you get into the mindset that anyone would be lucky to have you in their lives. The more you feel better about yourself, the more you can push through loneliness into happiness.

 

Don’t let the crippling feeling of loneliness get you down during a long holiday season. There are ways you can help yourself so that you can achieve happiness, even if you’re by yourself.

3 Things That Will Help You Sleep Better

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3 Things That Will Help You Sleep Better

Life is busy, and it goes fast. Sleep is the one time we have a break from it all. Studies show that sleeping more sharpens your brain, improves your mood, promotes heart health, and so much more. It’s important, so we have to make each hour we get count! I’m going to give you 3 things that will guarantee you a better, more restorative rest each night.

 

 

  • Don’t Drink Caffeinated Beverages Late in the Day

 

Caffeine energizes our bodies, stimulating our nervous systems and making us buzz with energy. While this is great when we’re getting our start to the day, it makes it much harder for us to fall asleep and then rest well once we are asleep. Limit your caffeine intake 6 to 8 hours before you go to bed.

 

 

  • Try to Go to Bed and Wake Up at the Same Time

 

Our bodies have circadian rhythms that function on a loop. If we stay consistent, we are much more likely to stay asleep longer and, therefore, wake up more refreshed.

 

 

  • Sleep on a Comfortable Mattress

 

Bed quality is such an important factor in our sleep that we often overlook. The right

mattress effects good quality sleep to make sure you wake up rejuvenated and ready to seize the day! You should change your mattress every 5 to 8 years. Some might think this is the hardest fix (mattresses are so expensive, after all), but there are so many cost efficient ways to buy mattresses online. 

 

Change your habits to secure your sleep. Sweet Dreams, Reader!

4 Cheap, Fun Summer Activities You Can Do

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If you’re like me, the first thing I think of when the summer comes is road trips, hotel stays, and a tight bank account. However, summer doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, summer activities shouldn’t put a strain on your finances at all. With a little creativity, one can have a fantastic summer without spending too much money.

Let’s look at four awesome summer activities for all ages:

Budget-Friendly Summer Activities

  1. Drive-In Movies. The regular price for a drive-in movie is around seven dollars for adults, which already beats regular movie theater prices by half. Drive-in movies are great budget-friendly options because not only are the tickets cheaper, but you can bring your own snacks. Sometimes drive-in movie theaters even have free movie nights in the summer, and nothing is cheaper than free!
  2. Camping in your Backyard. Have you ever wanted to camp but also have your own certified-clean bathroom and easy access to all your favorite foods and drinks? Camping in the backyard is the way to go. It’s a perfect option for homebodies, people with young children, or people with pets. If you don’t have an outdoor tent, you can always get creative in the living room with pillows and blankets, instead.
  3. Picking fruit at an Orchard. Who doesn’t love fresh fruit in the summer? Picking fruit isn’t a completely free activity, but for a low admission cost and the cost of the fruit, you’ve got a rewarding summer afternoon activity. The best part is that you go home with pounds of fruit for eating, dessert-making, or canning.
  4. Free Museum Days. If you’re looking to get out of the hot, summer sun for a while, local museums could be the answer to your problems. Not only are they temperature controlled, but they’re educational and affordable. Most museums offer free admission days either weekly or once a month for people who are keeping budget in mind.

Having Budget-Friendly Fun

Whether you’re paying off debt, saving for a bigger trip, or simply have a lot of expenses, there’s nothing wrong with keeping your budget in mind when it comes to summer activities. What’s your favorite cheap summer activity?

4 Encouraging Bible Verses for Hard Times

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Ever wish life could be peaceful, free from; fear, sickness, failures, trials and temptations?

Well, we all want that, but we live in a fallen world.

There will be times of increase, good health, and promotions. There will also be moments of frustration, failure and disappointment.

But God has given us his word to encourage and uplift us in difficult times, to correct us when we mess up and to build our faith. Focus on scriptures and believe that God will come through for you the way he has promised.

Here are four bible verses that will encourage you in hard times;

When Dealing With Anxiety

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6(NIV)

Are you feeling anxious?

Well, here is the thing, worrying won’t change your situation; it will only leave you depressed.

Paul encourages us to pray about every situation in this verse. 

Turn the big and small stuff you are worried about to God in prayer. Stop trying to fix everything on your own. Surrender them to God and thank God for handling your situation. He loves you and is always ready to help you.

Keep believing in Him, and he will never let you down. 

When You Are Afraid

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6(NIV)

We all deal with different kinds of fear.

The devil keeps bombarding us with thoughts of death, failure and shame. There are also different kinds of experiences, new ventures and responsibilities that leave us fearful. We wonder if we will measure up or if people will like us.

The truth is we will never get rid of fear, but we can face these challenges courageously because God is with us. Don’t be afraid of people, the devil or situations that seem impossible.

Be strong and do what is required of you. God is with you. He is helping you through it all.

No, you don’t see him, and you may not feel his presence, but he is there, and he will not abandon you.

When you are in Trouble

And call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.

Psalms 50:15 (NIV)

Whom do you run to when in trouble?

Do you go to the experts, friends, family or God?

Well, it is not wrong to ask for help from people, but it is better to run to God first. Honestly, most of us see God as our last option when he should be the first.

Run to him in your day of trouble. He has promised to deliver you and not just that by the time he is done, you will know that God is almighty and he is who he says he is.

When Going Through Trials

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12 (NIV)

The word of God doesn’t promise us an easy life.

We will go through different trials and temptations in this world.

Don’t give up in the middle of trial and even if things don’t change now; we are promised great things in eternity. Love God and persevere. At the end of it all, you will receive the crown of life.

The enemy would like to make you believe that you are the only one that is going through trials, but that is not true. Know that every believer is going through various kinds of trials, but it is only those who endure to the end that will be crowned.

Don’t give up stand firm in God’s word. He loves you and is with you through it all.

Four Ways Routines Help with Stress

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Anxiety and stress love chaos. When you’re already feeling overwhelmed, anxious thoughts can sneak in and make everything so much worse. The best way to combat those feelings is to set up routines. A routine can be as simple as the order you do things in the morning before work or as complex as laying out a monthly production schedule. Whichever one you do, once it’s finished, you’ll feel loads better.

Let’s talk about the benefits of developing a routine:

Four Ways Routines Help with Stress

  1. It gives you a system. When your life is chaotic, your mind is chaotic. This can lead to decision fatigue. Should you shower before breakfast? When should you take the dogs out in the morning? If you write out a morning routine, those little, exhausting questions are answered, and your brain is freed from juggling all your responsibilities at the same time.
  2. It puts you on autopilot. Have you ever left work and spaced out the whole drive back to your house? It’s okay if you have, because this is an example of autopilot. Autopilot’s major benefit is allowing you to multitask, but it is also a routine that lowers your stress levels. If you think of your brain as a computer and yourself as a programmer, the more daily tasks you can program into autopilot, the less you have to stress about.
  3. Frees your mind. Once you have routines in place, your mind is free to work on other projects. If you want to not only be less stressed but also more productive, developing functional routines is the key. When we turn tasks into autopilot routines, we complete them faster and more efficiently than we would have by using our active brain.
  4. Helps you feel in control. Last, routines and rituals help you feel in control, which is the direct opposite of how anxiety makes you feel. There are so many things we can’t control in this life that being able to know where our keys are in the morning can go a long way in reducing stress levels.

Moving Forward with Routines

If you’re looking to establish new routines, the best way to get started is by listing all your morning tasks and arranging them into your first routine. It can feel strange at first, but after a week of having an established routine, you will be able to feel a difference in your stress levels.

7 Bible Verses About Mental Health

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“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 
“casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”
I Peter 5:7
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
John 4:27
“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”
II Timothy 1:7
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:1-2
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:24
“and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,”
Ephesians 4:23