Getting on top of stress levels
Anyone else stressed right now? Here are two things I’m trying.
Hi friends,
How have the last few weeks been for you? Ironically, after shouting about how good I was feeling in my last post, I’ve had a slightly tougher few weeks (period issues returning, elevated blood pressure being picked up by my doctor and stress getting on top of me).
Isn’t that always the way? A lovely little reminder that these things all ebb and flow.
It has also helped me get curious about how I can manage stress better and I feel like this weekend I’ve figured out a couple of things that may help.
While the results of these things are pending (watch this space!) I thought I’d share what they are as I’d love to hear your thoughts…
Amplifying an experience/environment to savour better
If you’ve ever explored positive psychology, you may well have heard of the term ‘savouring’.
This is when you become really intentional about taking in and enjoying positive moments when they come up; for example, savouring the sensation of the sun on your skin, taking a mental snapshot of a fun experience, noticing the scent of a BBQ and the sound of friends laughter.
This is something I pride myself in doing, but it can be easy to forget. We get so caught up in the rigmarole of daily life, moving from one task to the next, it can be easier said than done to recognise the lovelier moments in life.
This weekend I did something to take my savouring game up a notch. I was on the sofa at home, windows wide open and a torrential downpour had just passed.
I picked up a magazine to read and popped my air pods in, ready to hit play on my usual lo-fi reading music.
Instead though, as I smelt the remnants of summer rain on roof tiles drifting through the window, I searched Insight Timer (my meditation app of choice) for a stormy soundscape.
Listening to this felt like it was amplifying my experience.
As the thunder rolled and I turned the pages, I felt a knot in my chest release. My body reacted immediately, it was like a sigh of relief saying ‘finally’.
I read the magazine (Faire, gifted to me by a friend) all about creative people, front to back and felt more relaxed than I had in weeks.
I kinda wish I had a petrichor scented candle to amplify things even more.
I have no doubt the actual rainstorm that hit before I started reading helped, I think the yellowing grass and my soul needed that rain.
The experience made me think this could be a short-cut to savouring and relaxation. Amplifying an environment or experience. Giving nature a gentle push with soundscapes or scents. Engaging the senses more.
I have no science behind my theory - other than studies saying savouring is great and so is nature, I guess it makes sense that bringing them together in this way is powerful.
I’m going to explore ways I can do this more, likely by buying nature-inspired scented candles, listening to more soundscapes and, of course, actually getting out in nature more.
Creative rest
Lately, if I’ve had a plan-free weekend, you could guarantee I’d spend most of it playing The Sims. Now, while I am a big advocate for cosy gaming to relax, I think I’ve realised lately that it’s not the rest I necessarily need (at least not always!).
I’ve heard of the different types of rest, but hadn’t really recognised in myself that gaming - a more passive, mental type of rest wasn’t all I needed.
This weekend I went to my local writing group and followed it with reading that magazine mentioned above.
Both left me feeling more refuelled than a four-hour gaming session. So, I’m bringing back a habit that’s fallen by the wayside; ‘Sims-free Saturdays’.
Saturdays will be my day to engage with creative rest. Whether that’s watching a documentary, reading a book/magazine about creativity, going to my writing group, writing myself, drawing, doing a paint-by-numbers etc. anything to fill my creative cup.
I think, perhaps, this week creative rest felt especially important as I’d had an intense work-week, looking at policies, systems and struggling to get my head around it. I needed to engage a different part of my brain.
So there we go. Just a couple of things I’m giving a go - along with more regular breaks at work and 10-min meditations on my lunch break, when needed. Let’s see how it goes.
Next week, Dan and I are off to Portugal for a friend’s wedding and I also think the change of scenery and break from work will do absolute wonders, so I’m very much looking forward to that.
I hope you have a good few weeks, I’d love to hear any stress-busting tips that help you - please do share in the comments!
Until next time, take care.
Kat x