5 Free Ways to Find Peace When Overwhelmed
We’re all there. With the pandemic, long-simmering social unrest, working from home, bored kids, and all of the other stressors that we navigate individually, 2020 has already been a time of high stress. So our staff put their heads together today and came up with some of our favorite coping practices.
The best part is that they are all free!
- Interrupt the scroll. Social media can be a great gift when we’re emotionally well, but knowing when we’ve had enough of the virtual world is important. Are you seeing negative, inflammatory posts in your newsfeed? Unfollowing or hiding accounts that make you feel stressed can be a lifesaver. If a feed full of cookie recipes and cute kittens brings you peace, do that!
- Feel better naturally. Nature has a proven calming effect. Take a walk and surround yourself by as much plant life as possible. Sit by a natural body of water. Star watch or track the International Space Station when it flies over your house. Plant a garden. Just get outside and let the natural world perform it’s magic!
- Practice self care. Drinking plenty of water, eating well, exercising, and getting plenty of sleep are standard self care prescriptions, but get creative with self care for maximum effect. Schedule a long, fragrant bath with a cup of tea and some favorite music a couple of evenings a week. Find an enjoyable podcast, a comfy spot, and listen daily. Give your bedroom a deep cleaning and get to bed early with a good book - many libraries are doing curb service now by the way! Whatever it is, stick to it as a commitment to you.
- Journal. Writing down what we’re feeling is a useful way to process emotions in stressful times. Once you’re on the other side, it’s enlightening to go back and revisit challenging times to see what worked and what didn’t.
- Become a list maker. When it feels like there is too much to do, make a list. Categorize and prioritize and feel the intense pleasure of marking things off. Best part: starting with a small victory by marking off "make a list."
Hang in there, Thistle Farmers. You are loved.
#LoveHeals
