Phew; what an unrelenting, unforgiving few years it’s been, with one crisis after another leaving Brits feeling more stressed than ever before. In fact, it was recently reported that the average Brit feels stressed eight days a month with a whopping four in five suffering from a monthly bout of stress.
That study shed a little light on just what causes us the most stress, with money, a lack of sleep, health concerns and family the most impactful day-to-day concerns.
Though such causes of stress can sometimes feel like they’re omnipresent in our lives, they shouldn’t simply be accepted as inevitable. Because when we’re calmer, we’re able to handle stressful life events with more poise and perspective, which in turn lessens the load of these catalysts and makes everything feel a little lighter. This thing’s cyclical, after all.
Perhaps you’ve tried more ‘traditional’ methods of stress relief, such as regular exercise, enjoying a balanced diet, regular sex and mindful meditation. And sure, these are still the best ways to reduce stress and feel calmer, approved by healthcare professionals and backed up by science.
That said, if you’re keen to broaden your holistic horizons and try out some new and innovative stress relief techniques, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are 5 interesting, experimental methods people use to find inner peace.
Clean Out Your Surroundings
Believe it or not, but decluttering your personal space is a great way to clear your mind, symbolically, at the very least. When we’re surrounded by clutter, we might start to feel distracted or stressed, with several studies pointing to a link between clutter heightened cortisol levels.
As a result, cleaning up your space can also help you clean your mind, removing tension that may have been building there. Furthermore, some psychologists even believe that clutter indicates that you are holding on too tightly to past memories. Decluttering may help you identify areas you need to work on and give yourself more closure and clarity moving forward.
Psy-kick That Stress Into Touch
According to Forbes Magazine, the last couple of years have seen interest in supernatural readings rise sharply, and with all that’s been going on in the world, that doesn’t surprise us.
Whilst, of course, such readings are only a bit of fun and not to be treated too seriously, for some the activity can represent a useful form of escapism and release.
It needn’t cost a pretty penny, either. In fact, extortionate prices for what is essentially an intriguing insight into a different approach to life should ring alarm bells, and might even be suggestive of a scam.
Instead, find a cheap psychic reading where you can speak with an experienced spiritual reader to find new ways of connecting with the universe and living in the moment. You might find a weight-lifted off your shoulders or, at the very least, you’ll have a tale to tell at the end of it!
Re-Engage With Your Childhood Hobbies
Many guides designed to tackle anxiety and stress focus on finding a healthy outlet for your negative feelings, whether that involves putting together an exercise routine or spending more time outdoors.
However, many adults report finding huge comfort in nostalgic hobbies, chiefly in the activities we particularly enjoyed as a child. This might be because our minds tend to associate these activities with our youth when things were much more relaxed and carefree.
As a result, participating in them can help lower your stress levels, whether you decide to re-read a favourite book from your youth, dust off an old board game, or simply wear a nappy, a bib, and speak gobbledygook for the foreseeable future.
Get Creative
Another way in which you can help yourself on your journey to inner peace is by finding as many ways as possible to channel your creativity – which we all have in abundance – whether you enjoy painting and sketching, pottery making or playing the guitar.
This is because creativity helps us find healthy ways of expressing our emotions, as opposed to keeping them bottled up. Sometimes, expressing ourselves creatively is the only outlet we allow ourselves, as it can be hard to say out loud how we are feeling – meaning you should definitely make it part of your weekly (or even daily) routine.
Smile Like You Mean It
It might sound silly – hey, it might even feel silly – but standing in front of the mirror and practicing your full range of smiles is a great way to destress. In fact, studies have shown that smiling regularly – even if it’s forced or fake – releases endorphins, natural painkillers and serotonin, elevating mood and reducing physical and emotional pain. All of which leads to a less stressed-out version of yourself, both outwardly but, most importantly, inwardly too.
If you’re looking to take self-smiling to the next level, then laughter therapy might help, too. The so-called ‘best medicine’, it’s even been reported that watching comedy will soon be prescribed by GPs in the UK to help patients recover from trauma. Amazing!
*This article is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment given by a qualified mental health professional. Instead, this article only provides information, not advice. For any medical enquiries, always consult your GP first*