Life can be stressful, which can cause us to burn out, or overwork ourselves. Take care of your mind, body, and soul, and follow these 5 steps to destress after an extensive week.
1. Disconnect: Humans have an over-attachment to electronics. When you sit down and relax your first instinct may be to pick up your phone and start scrolling through your favorite social media app. Instead of over connecting, start disconnecting. Put the phone down and just be present for a moment. Sit in the quietness and bask in the nothingness. I like to think of having a "no phones allowed" moment to just let your mind catch up to your body.
2. Hot bath/shower: Hot water just brings a different level of warmth and comfort to the body and soul. Run a nice warm bath with your favorite bath bomb or some relaxing Epsom bath salts and let your body melt into a relaxed state. Add some candles and soothing music to really set the mood. You will come out feeling brand new!
3. Order take-out or make your favorite quick meal: Usually cooking is the last thing on someone's mind when they get home after work. But we must keep our bodies nourished and sustained. Maybe make Friday your 'take-out' day, and treat yourself to your favorite meal. This gives you something to look forward to, as well as gives you peace of mind about what you have to cook. If take-out just isn't in your budget that's okay too! There are a bunch of quick meal recipes that take 30 minutes or less with minimal ingredients. Get all of the ingredients together beforehand so everything is ready to just be thrown into a pot or oven instantly!
4. Get wrapped into your book or show of choice: Escaping reality for a few hours can help ease tension in the mind. Get lost in your favorite book or TV show and just be free from reality.
5. Journal: Journaling should be an everyday habit, but that may be difficult for some people. Instead of feeling the obligation to journal every day just take the effort to journal weekly. When you get caught up in life you sometimes can put your own feelings on the back burner. Bottling up feelings is not healthy and can lead to pent-up emotions. By journaling, you unintentionally(or intentionally) release all of those emotions. Journaling will clear your mind from the smog and leave you feeling refreshed. You can go into the new week with a blank slate.
Life takes everyone for a ride, it is not easy by any means. Most of the time though, people can get way too wrapped up in it and that's where all their energy goes. You start living for the world and not yourself. Please take the time to rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. It is so important to take of yourself so you can really live for yourself.
A quote from one of my favorite people:
“Life only gets harder, but you gotta get stronger." -Jhené Aiko
Make sure to keep yourself strong and healthy to keep dominating this thing called life. Peace, love, and blessings to all.