Laughter, Music, & Friends – Great Antidotes for Relieving Stress
There are so many reasons to feel stressed, whether you’re frustrated as you try to figure out how to work from home, anxious as you try to stay safe because you have to be at work, or wish you still had your work and wonder how you’re going to pay your bills. Of course, there’s also our concern for the health of our loved ones, the economy, and the world as a whole. In the face of all this worry, how can you find at least a few moments of peace or even happiness?
Despite what’s going on, it’s so important to take time to find things that make you feel good. If you let yourself get stuck watching the news, worrying about the future, and constantly discussing the problems, it can send you into a downward spiral that casts a dark shadow over every part of your life. It breeds feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, discouragement, and the list goes on.
Here are just three ideas that can help;
- Find reasons to laugh. Whether it’s funny videos, reruns of your favorite sitcom, silly jokes or memes on social media, or sharing funny memories with friends, there are lots of opportunities to find something that tickles your funny bone.
- Listen to music. Choose songs that lift your spirits, inspire you, energize you, or fill you with gratitude. Avoid melancholy songs that can fuel feelings of loss or sadness.
- Connect with friends. Even if you can’t get together in person, be intentional about reaching out with email, messaging, social media, and the phone. Use Skype, Zoom, Facetime or whatever platform you have for enjoying a virtual face-to-face experience. Our social connections are so important for our overall wellbeing!
Try some of these antidotes today!
Of course, there are many other ways to add moments of peace and happiness. I would love to hear some of your favorites. I will create a long list to share next week so that it’s super easy to find more ideas.
