How You Can Destress within an Hour

Apr 2, 2019
2 min read

Updated: Apr 3, 2019

It's the little things that count.

We're four months into 2019 and I feel like I can't breathe.

We sometimes forget to take care of ourselves. We get wrapped up in work and our never-ending to-do lists that we forget to breathe.

Yes - having things on your to-do list is rewarding, but when things pile up and your thoughts start to jumble into one big mess - it's time to take a step back. I know when I have too many things on my plate, I don't know where to start first. That's why I tend to take about an hour before I tackle things to focus on myself.

I use that hour to destress and organize myself (and/or my surroundings) before I tackle my list. Here are some of the things I usually do when I am in need of a breather.

1. Organize your goals, thoughts, and worries into a journal.

When I feel a bit stressed out, I turn to my journal. I usually write down my goals and ideas of what to do for the week.

Having a place where you can write down what's in your head really helps clear your head.

I have friends who are list fanatics and have so many lists that they don't know which list to work on first! Having all your tasks in one place would help destress immediately because you know what to do first.

2. Pamper Yourself.

Doing any type of pampering to your body is a time where you can focus on one thing at a time. You don't need to think about anything else in that moment - just don't cut yourself or ruin the first coat. Completing a small task like this sets your mind up for the next task you need to complete and it becomes a cycle.

3. Clean and Organize Your Inbox

I know I'm not the only one who hates to see a huge number in their Gmail or Yahoo inboxes. Having the number of unread emails go up and up added to my stress in ways I didn't know until I cleaned out the spam and junk in my inbox.

Delete spam emails, keep current sale/discount emails from your favorite stores if you know you are going to use them before they expire, and favorite emails that you need to follow up on.

When the notification disappears, so does a bit of my stress.

4. Stop Avoiding the Laziness (for an hour)

We've all had the feeling of feeling guilty by watching a Youtube video or scrolling through Twitter when we don't feel like doing a task. Don't feel guilty - just go for it.

Binge.

Scroll.

Read that article you've been itching to click on for 10 minutes now.

Watch the Youtube video that you have in the background because you think that by having it in the background will make you finish the task faster. (I've been there too.)

Use your hour to do whatever you want on social media or Netflix. Once your hour is done, go back to your tasks.

Stress may take up a lot of room in your life, but the main goal is to not let it consume you. Remember to let yourself live and enjoy the world around you.