How Do I Destress? Let Me Count The Ways…25 To Be Exact

Image from Flickr

Today is June 1st.  I don’t know about anyone else, but the first six months of this year have been incredibly stressful for me, both personally and professionally.  I have often, more often that I’d like, found myself feeling like my head is going to explode, much like this little guy on the right.  Even though stress is a part of life and can’t be avoided, it can be the start of a downward spiral that is difficult to recover from.  Here are some ways- 25- that I handle stress and how I don’t let it take over my life.  Disclaimer: I tried to be as gender neutral as possible, so this isn’t a “girls only” list.  Keyword = tried.

1. Actually cooking dinner (or any other meal), then taking the time to enjoy it.
2. Working out. Nothing like taking out your frustrations on the machines at the gym.
3. Taking a walk through your neighborhood.
4. Watching mindless television- that’s what reality shows are for, right?
5. Bike rides.
6. Two words: retail therapy.
7. Go for a drive…anywhere.
8. Go swimming.
9. Grabbing a drink with your friends.
10. Enjoy some live music. My favorite is Fools & Horses. Great band from Baltimore that tours primarily on the East Coast, but gets to the Mid-West and West Coast every now and then!  Good fellas, good friends of mine and (for the ladies) pretty nice to look at :)
11. Read a good book.
12. Skim through a magazine.
13. Clean! It’ll take your mind off of things.
14. Video games. Nothing like beating the crap out of a fake, virtual character, right?
15. Go away for the weekend.  My favorite place to run away to is Baltimore, MD :)
16. Watch sports.
17. PLAY sports.
18. Go to the beach.
19. Spend time with your friends, even if it’s a low key movie night.
20. Plan a trip (if you can afford it).  That gives you something to look forward to!
21. Call a friend or relative to catch up.
22. Focus on the positive in your life.
23. Disconnect from social media for an hour.
24. Enjoy a nice glass of wine.
25. Just dance- it’ll be ok. Lady Gaga speaks the truth!

How do you destress?