Inner lotus: Kick your sour lemons out.
We all encounter daily issues, it's apart of life, but what happens if we don't tend to them? Stress starts to build up, negative feelings start to arise, and life is just a big bowl of rocks.
When life hands you lemons they're often encountered with emotions. Such as anger, sadness, vengeance, confusion, etc. Lemons (hardships) often like to lurk in our lives and it can be difficult to rid of them, and with our busy schedules we learn to ignore them...
In turn if we let them lurk, eventually we start to effect those around us. When we effect those around us we become the lemon to other people, and become even more angry with ourselves. The cycle just keeps spinning! Unfortunately this is life, but what do we do?
Lemons don't have salty attitudes, they're sour!
Here are the 15 best options when it comes to defeating stress
1. Take a yoga class
If you don't feel like spending an extra buck to learn yoga, check out some neat yoga videos on Youtube, yoga advocates on Instagram, or see if someone near you is hosting a free yoga session.
2. Read an article, book, anything!
Once you start to read something your mind quickly begins drifting away from your problems. It keeps you busy and hey, maybe you'll learn a thing or two! Check out free iBooks if you have an iPhone. Check out Gmail News, or head to your local library and spend a few minutes to calm down.
3. Tune out your issues with tunes
That's right, we all love music and the best thing is that it's everywhere. Plug in, or just breath and take in the sounds around you. Maybe get up and dance if you want to shake off your stress!
4. Write it out
When we're angry and feel like the entire world is sitting on our shoulders, our mind's run at 100 plus mph. So grab a notebook and pen or pencil and write, Write, WRITE! Everything that comes to mind just get it all out on paper. If you're feeling extra stressed, burn it afterwards! (shh I didn't recommend this) but, trust me it relieves so much stress.
5. Run, Dance, Swim, get moving
You're stressed, and sitting there makes you feel like nothing is getting done, but you don't want to move.. Get up and hit the gym, jump in a lake, or walk along a trail. When we're angry or stressed our heart rates are through the roof. It's healthy to release that stress through sweating it out, plus you'll feel like yourself again.
6. Get Creative
We all have some creative talent, so no matter what that may be, get to it! Paint, draw, carve wood, decorate your house, rearrange your bedroom, bake, research how to re-create an old T-shirt, for all I care throw some paint balloons at a wall! Activating the creative part of your brain will distract you from your stresses.
7. Pamper yourself
Take a long bubble bath with a glass of wine, or just soak your feet and blast some relaxing music. If that doesn't appeal to you than do some shopping therapy, take a long shower, make and eat some desert, whatever it is that you want to treat yourself with.
8. Road trip
Take a drive to another part of town, out of town, or to a friends house. Go to a super market that you've never been to before, find a body of water and soak your feet. Wherever you go, try to take your mind off of things and focus on your senses. Smell, touch, sound, taste, sight.
9. Take a hike
Go. Aside from running this is my ultimate favorite. Just you and nature can really clear your mind. Being in a refreshing place full of plant and animal life will ground your senses, emotions, negative thoughts, etc. If you live in a swollen city, dare yourself to step out of bounds and go somewhere that you've never been!
10. Organize
Sounds like work... Yeah, Rae is giving you a task, but I guarantee that you'll feel better after decluttering and it can be anything at all!
Your closet must have some old clothes, so pick at it. That stack of old magazines over there? No ones going to pick them up. Your spice cabinet can use a deep clean. Whats with the yard?
Okay rant over, so all of the things from this list doesn't apply to you? There is always something to organize, find it and work at it. It will keep your mind busy among all of your stress and in the end you'll have a clean home.
11. Call your best friend
This person can be from grade school, your mom, your cousin, your uncle, whoever. Call them and rant to them about everything and see what they say. This can be a major stress reliever because after the call you feel some support and comfort on your side, you have some insight on what to do, and maybe they have experience?
Don't forget to ask how they're doing though.
12. Laugh it off
This sounds a bit ridiculous and you're definitely not in the mood right? Okay stop being stubborn and turn the TV to a stand-up comedy show. If you have Netflix, there are tons!
Even though some jokes are stupid, laughing releases your endorphins (happy hormone) and it can instantly melt away stress.
13. Essential oils
I'm sure by now you've heard it everywhere and let me tell it straight. There is no proven clinical facts that oils can relieve symptoms, stress, or brain functionality. BUT, for me they have helped me gain a sense of where I'm at. They smell amazing and some help you breath better. I have an oil defuser that I found at a local market and I mix ten drops of my favorite scent with lukewarm water, and it defuses it in to the air. It's absolutely amazing for when I go to sleep. Here are my favorite scents.
Lavender
Mint
Eucalyptus
Chamomile
14. Learn something new
Pick up a guitar and see where it takes you, read how to do a new skill, cook a new meal, join a fitness club/class, make your own clothes, learn how to make soap. Anything at all! Learning something new makes you feel creative and empowered, which will distract you from your stress.
15. Try to enjoy the little things
Make a cup of tea/coffee, read a book, go for a walk, thank a stranger for no reason, send someone a card for fun, play with your pet. Whatever it is it lowers your expectations around you and makes you appreciate the things that exist.
WHAT NOT TO DO.
Okay, I've told you some ideas of how to relieve stress, but what should you stay away from?
1. Alcohol/caffeine is never an answer.
In the long run, you'll just feel worse.
2. No negative thoughts.
Imagine every negative or hurtful thing that runs through your mind such as,
"I'm fat", "I suck", "What the hell was I thinking when I wore that.", "Why did I say that".
Now take those thoughts and turn them in to a person. If this person was in front of you and constantly says, "You're fat!", "You suck", "Why the hell did you say that?", "You're ugly!"
Wouldn't that make you want to cry or defend yourself? Stop the war with yourself and start mentally saying appreciative things.
3. No over eating.
4. Do not just sit and hold it in. Let out your stress somehow.
Our lives may be full of sour lemons and each day we fight to rid of them. Whatever you do, don't let them lurk!
Got any sour lemon stories/remedies? I'd love to hear about it!
When life hands you lemons they're often encountered with emotions. Such as anger, sadness, vengeance, confusion, etc. Lemons (hardships) often like to lurk in our lives and it can be difficult to rid of them, and with our busy schedules we learn to ignore them...
In turn if we let them lurk, eventually we start to effect those around us. When we effect those around us we become the lemon to other people, and become even more angry with ourselves. The cycle just keeps spinning! Unfortunately this is life, but what do we do?
Lemons don't have salty attitudes, they're sour!
Here are the 15 best options when it comes to defeating stress
1. Take a yoga class
If you don't feel like spending an extra buck to learn yoga, check out some neat yoga videos on Youtube, yoga advocates on Instagram, or see if someone near you is hosting a free yoga session.
2. Read an article, book, anything!
Once you start to read something your mind quickly begins drifting away from your problems. It keeps you busy and hey, maybe you'll learn a thing or two! Check out free iBooks if you have an iPhone. Check out Gmail News, or head to your local library and spend a few minutes to calm down.
3. Tune out your issues with tunes
That's right, we all love music and the best thing is that it's everywhere. Plug in, or just breath and take in the sounds around you. Maybe get up and dance if you want to shake off your stress!
4. Write it out
When we're angry and feel like the entire world is sitting on our shoulders, our mind's run at 100 plus mph. So grab a notebook and pen or pencil and write, Write, WRITE! Everything that comes to mind just get it all out on paper. If you're feeling extra stressed, burn it afterwards! (shh I didn't recommend this) but, trust me it relieves so much stress.
5. Run, Dance, Swim, get moving
You're stressed, and sitting there makes you feel like nothing is getting done, but you don't want to move.. Get up and hit the gym, jump in a lake, or walk along a trail. When we're angry or stressed our heart rates are through the roof. It's healthy to release that stress through sweating it out, plus you'll feel like yourself again.
6. Get Creative
We all have some creative talent, so no matter what that may be, get to it! Paint, draw, carve wood, decorate your house, rearrange your bedroom, bake, research how to re-create an old T-shirt, for all I care throw some paint balloons at a wall! Activating the creative part of your brain will distract you from your stresses.
7. Pamper yourself
Take a long bubble bath with a glass of wine, or just soak your feet and blast some relaxing music. If that doesn't appeal to you than do some shopping therapy, take a long shower, make and eat some desert, whatever it is that you want to treat yourself with.
8. Road trip
Take a drive to another part of town, out of town, or to a friends house. Go to a super market that you've never been to before, find a body of water and soak your feet. Wherever you go, try to take your mind off of things and focus on your senses. Smell, touch, sound, taste, sight.
9. Take a hike
Go. Aside from running this is my ultimate favorite. Just you and nature can really clear your mind. Being in a refreshing place full of plant and animal life will ground your senses, emotions, negative thoughts, etc. If you live in a swollen city, dare yourself to step out of bounds and go somewhere that you've never been!
10. Organize
Sounds like work... Yeah, Rae is giving you a task, but I guarantee that you'll feel better after decluttering and it can be anything at all!
Your closet must have some old clothes, so pick at it. That stack of old magazines over there? No ones going to pick them up. Your spice cabinet can use a deep clean. Whats with the yard?
Okay rant over, so all of the things from this list doesn't apply to you? There is always something to organize, find it and work at it. It will keep your mind busy among all of your stress and in the end you'll have a clean home.
11. Call your best friend
This person can be from grade school, your mom, your cousin, your uncle, whoever. Call them and rant to them about everything and see what they say. This can be a major stress reliever because after the call you feel some support and comfort on your side, you have some insight on what to do, and maybe they have experience?
Don't forget to ask how they're doing though.
12. Laugh it off
This sounds a bit ridiculous and you're definitely not in the mood right? Okay stop being stubborn and turn the TV to a stand-up comedy show. If you have Netflix, there are tons!
Even though some jokes are stupid, laughing releases your endorphins (happy hormone) and it can instantly melt away stress.
13. Essential oils
I'm sure by now you've heard it everywhere and let me tell it straight. There is no proven clinical facts that oils can relieve symptoms, stress, or brain functionality. BUT, for me they have helped me gain a sense of where I'm at. They smell amazing and some help you breath better. I have an oil defuser that I found at a local market and I mix ten drops of my favorite scent with lukewarm water, and it defuses it in to the air. It's absolutely amazing for when I go to sleep. Here are my favorite scents.
Lavender
Mint
Eucalyptus
Chamomile
14. Learn something new
Pick up a guitar and see where it takes you, read how to do a new skill, cook a new meal, join a fitness club/class, make your own clothes, learn how to make soap. Anything at all! Learning something new makes you feel creative and empowered, which will distract you from your stress.
15. Try to enjoy the little things
Make a cup of tea/coffee, read a book, go for a walk, thank a stranger for no reason, send someone a card for fun, play with your pet. Whatever it is it lowers your expectations around you and makes you appreciate the things that exist.
WHAT NOT TO DO.
Okay, I've told you some ideas of how to relieve stress, but what should you stay away from?
1. Alcohol/caffeine is never an answer.
In the long run, you'll just feel worse.
2. No negative thoughts.
Imagine every negative or hurtful thing that runs through your mind such as,
"I'm fat", "I suck", "What the hell was I thinking when I wore that.", "Why did I say that".
Now take those thoughts and turn them in to a person. If this person was in front of you and constantly says, "You're fat!", "You suck", "Why the hell did you say that?", "You're ugly!"
Wouldn't that make you want to cry or defend yourself? Stop the war with yourself and start mentally saying appreciative things.
3. No over eating.
4. Do not just sit and hold it in. Let out your stress somehow.
Our lives may be full of sour lemons and each day we fight to rid of them. Whatever you do, don't let them lurk!
Got any sour lemon stories/remedies? I'd love to hear about it!
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