How to Calm Down: 33 Tips for Dealing With Stress

It’s no secret that stress is a normal part of life. However, it can be difficult to figure out how to calm down when you’re feeling overwhelmed and frazzled. Luckily, there are many things we can do to help ourselves relax and feel less stressed more often. In this article, we will discuss 33 tips for dealing with stress so you can live a happier life!

33 Ways To Calm Down If You Have Acute Stress

If you feel like your stress is becoming more acute, here are some things that can help!

Breathe

It’s important to remember that your body needs oxygen. When you are feeling stressed, it can help to take a few deep breaths. This will make you feel calmer and more relaxed. It will also allow you to think clearer and focus on the most important things in your life.

Go for a walk

Sometimes we all just need some fresh air! Go outside and enjoy the sun (or rain). Stay there for a while. Then when you are done, go back to work or whatever else is stressing you out.

Write it down

This might be helpful if there are things that make you stressed. You can do it on days when people don’t have work or at times when they don’t work. I am writing down the dates of these periods so that I know what is coming. This will help me because I can prepare myself instead of being surprised.

Take a break

Sometimes we need to stop focusing on what’s stressing us out. That can give our brains a rest from all the chaos! It’s important to take some time for yourself. You can watch TV, go on an extra walk with your dog, or do something else you like to do. When we come back to work, it will be easier because we can do this every day. We feel refreshed and ready to take on the stress again.

Nap

If we don’t get enough sleep because of chronic stress then sometimes just catching up on zzz’s will make all the difference. Even if you only sleep for 20 minutes, it helps to feel less stressed. Napping is a good habit that should be embraced.

Take a shower

This might sound obvious, but taking a hot shower can actually be very relaxing. If you’re feeling tense or overwhelmed then turn the water on as hot as possible for 20 minutes and just let all that stress go down the drain with the soap scum from your daily showers. Scrub-a-dub tooty fruity! You’ll feel so much better after getting clean…literally & figuratively speaking of course 😉

Laugh it off

Everyone loves a good laugh – even if we have to force ourselves sometimes when we really don’t want to smile because being stressed has sucked away from our happy thoughts until they’ve been replaced by anxious ones. Laughter is the best medicine so try watching some funny YouTube videos, calling up your funniest friend, or just thinking back to a time when you were really happy and laughing about it with yourself.

Go easy on yourself

This is a big one! Stop putting so much pressure on yourself and worrying about what others think. It’s impossible to please everyone in life, so instead of trying to do that let’s concentrate on doing the best we can for ourselves when it comes down to being kinder towards our feelings. If you mess up or make a mistake then just learn from it and try again until you get better at whatever it is that makes us stressed out – nobody was born perfect after all 🙂

We’re all humans learning how to cope with stress every single day. So cut yourself some slack too because even if your friends/family don’t always understand why things bother us sometimes maybe they will someday soon enough 😉 You deserve happiness no matter where you are in life, so embrace that and keep doing your best because, in the end, we’re all just trying to be our very best selves 🙂

Admit that you are anxious or angry

It’s important, to be honest with ourselves about how we’re feeling. If you are stressed out then it is okay to admit that so you can get the help needed in order to overcome whatever it is that might be burdening your mind and weighing down on your heart. Sometimes just telling someone what’s wrong can make all the difference because they’ll know exactly what needs doing, who needs talking to/about, or maybe even where something went missing which will solve everything by itself once revealed! No big deal after all 🙂

Challenge your thoughts

When we’re stressed out it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing in every negative thought that comes our way. If you find yourself thinking about all the things which are stressing you out then try challenging those thoughts by reminding yourself “this might not be true” or “I’m probably overreacting”…it can really help get us back on track and focus more on what is real vs what isn’t so let’s start being a bit kinder towards ourselves from now on 🙂

Let go of control

This one seems tough, but sometimes the best thing for us to do when faced with stress is just let go and allow life to take its course without trying too hard to change everything because at least 80% of the time we won’t be able to anyway 😉 Some things are beyond our control, so instead of stressing about something that we can’t change focus on the little details which make every day special and let go of what might not matter as much as you thought it did. There’s no need to cry over spilled milk because there is always a positive side waiting around the corner if we just take some time out for ourselves…

Imagine your stress floating away

It sounds weird, but sometimes imagining all the negative energy leaving us through our breath or allowing those emotions to flow into an object such as a piece of paper then watching it float away in the wind really helps. Trust me, try it – I’m not here writing this blog post from beyond my grave 😉

Let your feelings out

When we hold our feelings in they tend to build up inside us and cause a lot of damage. If you feel like crying then do it! Don’t be afraid to let the tears run down your face because no one is going to judge you for being human 🙂 It can help so much just by allowing yourself this moment, so don’t bottle up those emotions but instead, say whatever needs saying or just scream into a pillow if that’s what might make things easier – there really are no rules when it comes down to working through stress unless it causes harm towards others around us 🙂 No matter how big or small the problem may seem always remember someone else has felt pain before too… so maybe reach out to them and share your story, who knows you might make their day 🙂

Release the anxiety

Getting rid of stress is a lot easier when we can release the anxious energy building up inside us. The best way I know how to do this is by getting active and moving – it feels so good when you get your blood pumping through physical activity like running, swimming, or even just dancing in front of the mirror with all the lights turned off (trust me on that one) and allows us to keep our minds focused on something other than what might be stressing us out at any given moment ;-). So find an outlet for all those emotions which are holding you back from truly living because not only will it make things less stressful but also allow others around you to see who they’re really dealing with instead of someone who seems closed shut…

Visualize your calm

When everything seems like too much to handle try taking yourself off somewhere peaceful and quiet where you can sit down for a moment. Close your eyes, take some deep breaths, start slowly counting backward from 100 by threes (trust me it works) or do whatever else makes you feel comfortable.

This sounds like a strange one, but it really works! Try closing your eyes and trying to imagine that calm place where you feel totally at ease – whether this is lying beside an ocean or in the middle of rolling green hills. It’s amazing how powerful our minds are because once we’ve found somewhere which makes us truly happy then every time life gets hard all we need to do is close our eyes for a minute so go ahead and give it ago…trust me when I say finding inner peace can change everything 😛

Replace negative thoughts with positive ones

When struggling through stress sometimes it’s far too easy just constantly thinking about what isn’t working, who might be upset with us, or even why things constantly seem to go wrong. However, if we can just take a moment to focus on the good around us then life becomes so much easier because it reminds us that there are still plenty of reasons to smile 🙂

Be kind

Stress is one thing that really tests our patience and makes people act like total jerks towards others – but doesn’t be like them! Always try speaking kindly even when you’re hurting inside…it might seem hard at first, but chances are this person could really use some positivity in their day 😉 It doesn’t matter who or what they may be going through because everyone needs support every now again especially if things aren’t looking up for them as well as they would hope.

Wait for things to get better

Sometimes I feel as if life expects us to be superhumans who work through stress at lightning speed while also having the ability to solve every single problem which comes our way in a matter of seconds. However, that isn’t always possible especially when we’re dealing with something big or even small where there might not be a definitive answer to make us feel better. If this is the case then always remember it’s okay to take your time and wait for things to get better on their own – yes we all want help, but sometimes that isn’t possible so just bear with life and try focusing on everything else around you which makes you smile 🙂

Be grateful

I think one of the best ways I know how to calm down during those tough times where stress feels like it’s taking over my life is by simply thinking about all those little things which come along every now again and bring me happiness…like watching Netflix under a thick blanket or laughing at silly memes :-Make Sure it may sound simple, but when I say being thankful for the little things in life then I truly believe it’s something everyone needs to try because taking a moment to be grateful can help re-energize you while also making everything else seem better!

Understand that sometimes stress is inevitable

Stress isn’t always bad though despite what people may tell you, but if this happens to be one of those times where it feels like your entire world is crashing down around you and there doesn’t appear to be any escape from feeling so overwhelmed…well don’t worry about it too much because these feelings will eventually pass 😛 Just remember even when we’re hurting inside or struggling through particularly hard moments which leave us feeling lost and confused then our emotions are still valid – just know that whatever is causing you stress at this very moment is completely normal and that it’s okay to feel stressed out!

Let go

It can be really hard when we’re trying our best yet nothing seems to work…but instead of constantly pushing yourself even harder try taking a step back, closing your eyes for a minute, and just letting the world take over because there will always come a time where things start looking up again 🙂 Plus remember whatever might seem like the biggest deal today probably won’t matter in five years from now – but if something does appear important enough then keep working towards it until you’ve successfully made your dreams into reality. We all have goals which drive us forward during those times where we feel weak and when we’re too tired to keep going…but it’s important not to forget about all those other things which make us feel happy either because you deserve some fun every now again!

Practice self-care

At the end of the day everyone needs time for themselves so if there is something making you stressed out then take a step back, do whatever makes you feel better (whether this means sitting down with your favorite book or taking that relaxing bubble bath), and just try focusing on yourself – after all stress isn’t always black or white meaning just because something can cause someone else distress doesn’t mean it will have the same effect on another person :- Just remember by practicing healthy habits like exercising regularly, eating nutritious foods, and getting plenty of sleep at night then life will start to look a whole lot better 🙂

Take care of your mental health

Of course, stress isn’t the only thing that affects us all in different ways…but when our minds are feeling weak or we’re constantly worrying about things they can end up making everything else seem worse. So if you find that it’s harder than usual to stay positive, focus on all those little good things throughout each day rather than just letting yourself get dragged down by negative thoughts, or avoid pushing yourself too hard unless necessary because taking time for yourself is so important! Remember I know how tough it can be dealing with anxiety or depression but there are always other options available besides giving up.

Listen to music

Music has been shown to have a positive effect on our moods…so whenever you’re feeling stressed out, anxious, or just overwhelmed by all the responsibilities in your life then take a few minutes and listen to some of your favorite songs! You don’t even need to let yourself get completely lost in them either because sometimes closing your eyes for a minute while listening can help relieve tension as well 🙂 And if this doesn’t work maybe it’s time to try something new like exercising with music playing from those headphones 🙂 Which reminds me one thing I do when I’m feeling particularly upset is sing at the top of my lungs – pretty much every day actually :- It may sound strange but trust me singing along make everything better 😉

Change Your Focus

During hard times it’s easy to get lost in all the emotions we’re feeling but instead of dwelling on them try taking a few minutes and concentrating on something else because no matter how bad things may seem at that moment they will eventually pass. So whenever you find yourself slipping into negative thoughts, slowly start distracting yourself by focusing on some other aspect of your life that is positive – whether this means playing with your favorite pet or planning out your next vacation 🙂

Plus even if you don’t want to leave the house then there are lots of fun activities like cooking new recipes, watching funny movies (which always makes me feel better!), organizing an old photo album from when you were younger, etc…the possibilities really are endless! Remember our brains can only process so much at once which means that if you’re thinking about something else then it will be easier to forget about any negative emotions for a little while.

Be around friends and family

We all need support from the people we care about during those times where everything seems difficult or when our heads are filled with too many thoughts…so don’t ever hesitate to talk to someone because reaching out is always better than trying to fight against your problems on your own! I know sometimes it can feel like nobody understands what you’re going through – but really that’s just an illusion created by feeling down 🙂 Just remember there are lots of other people who have been struggling as well, experienced similar things in their lives, and/or want nothing more than seeing you happy again. You just need to find someone who has time and is willing, so don’t hesitate because there’s nothing wrong with asking for help 🙂

Relax Your Body

Yoga, deep breathing exercises, or even some light stretching are all great ways to help your body relax and release stress. Don’t forget that it’s important to stay calm. It helps you stay healthy. If you are feeling tense, then do something small that helps relax your mind and body like counting backward from 100 in intervals of 3. This always works to make people feel better! 🙂 Plus another thing I do, whenever my heart starts racing during times where my anxiety is acting up (which happens more often than I’d like), is taking a few minutes and slowly counting out loud until reaching ten which seems to calm me most of the time. Now please remember everyone is different so you may need to experiment with a few things before finding what works best for you 🙂

Be Mindful

One of the simplest ways to calm down is by practicing mindfulness – which essentially just means focusing on your own thoughts and feelings without judging them as good or bad. Remember our minds can be very powerful tools when we learn how to use them right. But, they also have the ability to control us if we slip into negative emotions. So try not to involve in those because at some point everything will pass!

And don’t forget that no matter how hard it seems, there are lots of others out there who feel exactly the same way as you do too 🙂 So instead of trying to hide from these feelings maybe take a few minutes and try writing them down in a journal, talking to someone close about what you’re going through (and letting yourself actually cry if need be), or even just taking some time for yourself because everyone needs that every once in a while.

Get some fresh air

Getting outdoors is a great way to get rid of  negative thoughts or feelings because it forces us to focus on something else! Whether you want to go for a walk, sit outside during your lunch break at work, or even just open up a window in your house – try getting some fresh air whenever feeling down and I promise you’ll feel more relaxed almost instantly. And don’t forget that there are lots of other benefits from going outside too like improving our mood & motivation levels by absorbing the sun’s rays, increasing serotonin which helps with stress relief, lowering blood pressure levels along with reducing anxiety symptoms (which also often causes depression), etc…so why not take advantage when everything seems tough? 🙂

Fuel Your Body

Believe it or not, what you eat actually has a major effect on how well your mind & body are able to function – which is why fueling yourself with good foods whenever feeling down can make all the difference. I know when things get tough sometimes we turn towards less healthy options because they tend to be more appealing at that moment but trust me once you start eating better for a while it’ll feel like night and day! So if anything tries taking small steps by making little changes one at a time…for instance, adding flaxseeds into your breakfast cereal, swapping out white bread for whole wheat, etc. And don’t forget about these other tips too: limiting caffeine intake (because it’s known to worsen anxiety symptoms), drinking lots of water, taking your vitamins daily – because all these things are major players in keeping our minds & bodies healthy.

Relax Your Muscles

When you are feeling stressed, it is good to use self-soothing techniques. You can do this by taking deep breaths and relaxing your muscles. This will help lower your blood pressure and it might even make you feel better. For example, when you are tense, try counting backward from ten while doing slow breaths in between the numbers. :-). Or even something as simple as squeezing your fingers into a fist, then releasing them while taking deep breaths in between each time.

Having a centering object

Another way (I personally like to use this one a lot too) is by finding something that’s usually around you and using it as your “centering object” – which can be anything from holding onto a piece of jewelry, having an essential oil diffuser nearby, or even just wearing certain clothes. For instance: I love how grounding jade necklaces feel whenever feeling stressed out along with using them for meditation because they’re so calming 🙂 Or sometimes all we need is our favorite candle burning in the background while playing calm music…or maybe lighting some sage/incense sticks if you want to go old school! And don’t forget about other things such as taking walks through nature, focusing on positive thoughts instead of negative ones when feeling down, etc.

Identify Pressure Points

And lastly, another great way to feel much more relaxed is by using pressure points whenever feeling overwhelmed. For instance: the crown of your head which you can massage with two fingers in a circular motion. Rubbing both of your temples while taking deep breaths (this one’s my personal favorite because it feels so good plus helps release tension too). There are also lots of other nerve endings on our body that’ll help relieve stress if massaged properly like between the eyebrows along with at the back of the neck & shoulders. I think it is important to be creative. And you might not like the same things that other people do. But when you find something that makes you happy, experiment with it until you like it:-)

Conclusion

The key to calming down is understanding what you can do now, and what you need help with. Whether it’s an addiction, a habit, or simply the stress of life getting to be too much for you, there are ways that we can walk alongside each other through these hard times. I hope this blog post has been informative and helpful as we work together towards recovery. Let me know if we can support your journey in any way!

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