Creative Stress Relief Activities

Creative Stress Relief Activities Stress Management Management Techniques Print Creative Stress Relief Activities By Elizabeth Scott, MS twitter Elizabeth Scott, MS, is a wellness coach specializing in stress management and quality of life, and the author of 8 Keys to Stress Management. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Scott, MS Updated on January 09, 2020 How Stress Impacts Your Health Overview Signs of Burnout Stress and Weight Gain Benefits of Exercise Stress Reduction Tips Self-Care Practices Mindful Living A good dog can be a great stress reliever. Here are some more that you may not have considered. Anthony Murphy/Moment/Getty Images Much has been written about the many effective ways to manage stress, such as meditation, breathing exercises, journaling, and other well-known strategies. Their benefits are proven, and theyre popular strategies for a reason. New Years resolutions often involve them, and adopting them as part of your daily life can add years to it. However, theyre not the only ways to relieve stress, and they may not even be the most effective ways for you to relieve stress. This is because the best stress management strategies are the ones that you enjoy enough to practice regularly.  If you dont actually have motivation for meditation, for example, or if journaling feels like work, you may not get any of the benefits of these strategies because you just wont do these things on a regular basis. Stress relievers that are truly enjoyable or that have built-in motivation features may be the best ones for you because theyre perhaps easier to incorporate into your life. Here are some that work well for many people: Playing With Pets For those who love animals, theres a special peaceful energy that comes from taking five or ten minutes to caress a cat or love up a dog. Other types of pets can be great stress-management tools as well: Fish, rabbits, and even rats can provide their own soothing benefits.  The best pets provide unconditional love and entertainment  and stay in our hearts as they help us remember to stay in the moment. How Having a Pet Affects Your Stress Levels Exercise Classes You probably already know that exercise is a great stress reliever, but creative exercise classes can provide you with extra help. The fun of learning something new can take your mind off your stressors, and the class atmosphere can foster a positive type of peer pressure to keep you wanting to show up - even when you really dont feel like working out.  Zumba, cardio kickboxing, and other classes can take the mind off of stress while helping promote health. Why You Should Exercise to Relieve Symptoms of Mental Illness Baking Many people really enjoy baking with their kids â€" its a fun tradition that helps parents and kids bond and stays in the present moment, and almost always ends in something warm and delicious. This can apply to many forms of baking, including classes or cooking with a spouse. Baking provides comforting aromas and soothing, repetitive motions to keep you in the now as youre baking and a delicious reward when youre done.  Put on an audiobook or some music if you dont have any helpers with you, and youll enjoy it even more! Laughter Seeking out situations that will bring out the laughter in you can help you relieve stress in a really fun way. Go ahead â€" be goofy! Consider the benefits to your health and well-being. Maintain a sense of humor about what stresses you, and youll be much less stressed by everything that life has to throw at you. How Laughter Can Relieve Stress Daydreaming Many people find themselves involuntarily daydreaming when bored at work. But visualizations are actually great for stress management as well, so daydream with pride! Vividly imagine your best memories, visualize your success or walk yourself through a peaceful walk on a secluded beach. Giving yourself a mental break in this way is a quick and fun way to step back from your stressors and start fresh. Visualization Techniques Can Help Manage Your Symptoms Sex! Now that youre paying attention, it should be mentioned that sex (with a worthy partner) can be a great stress reliever for several reasons, including lowered blood pressure, increased intimacy, and stress-relieving hormones. You may have an issue though if you find yourself too stressed for sex. How Sex Can Be Used as a Stress Management Technique