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1. Take a walk. It does not have to be a long walk it can literally be for 10 minutes while you walk try not to think about the reason why you're walking, empty your mind completely as if it's just you and your feet hitting the ground going somewhere. Try to listen to relaxing music like jazz or classical music, don't listen to any rap or rock music because that can make you walk faster and get angry. Try to smile at strangers (I know it's weird but just do it) try to act like you're enjoying your walk and soon enough you will!
2. Breathe. Don't just breathe in and out or do a force breathing exercise, go somewhere private and close your eyes imagine being at your favorite place could be at the beach, at the park, in a nice house, or at a tropical Island...just imagine being there and slowly breathe, when you're breathing try to take a deep breath hold it for a second and exhale.
3. If you are somewhere that you cannot afford to leave or close your eyes. Just sit and relax your muscles, stop tapping your feet on the ground, relax your face, relax your eye muscles and drop your shoulders. When we are stressed we tend to look tense. Just relax all your muscles and breathe slowly.
4. watch something funny. This truly helps it will make you laugh which a good medicine when you are stressed and it will take your mind off of what is bothering you.
5. Listen to an audiobook. It can be quite boring at first because you are tense and your mind is racing, to be honest, this is the last thing that I would do. Perhaps after you do step 2 which is to breathe and imagine being at a beautiful place you will feel nice and relax enough to sit through a chapter from an audiobook. One audiobook that I find very captivating is "we're going to need more wine" by Gabriel Union, I've listened to the whole book and I felt like I was there. Her voice is so soothing and captivating which is exactly what you need.
6. Take a nap. Yes, a nap is sometimes the only thing that you need because when you are tired you are more prone to stress and a few hours of sleep might be rewarding and beneficial for your well-being.
7. talk it out. Call a friend or talk to someone you trust, talk about the situation don't leave out any detail because when you talk it out it will not only help you relieve stress but you can also find a solution. It doesn't hurt to talk to someone who is trustworthy it's probably the best thing to do when you are feeling overwhelming.
8. write. Writing your emotions and feelings down will not only help you understand the emotions that you are feeling but it will also help solve your problems as well if you can come up with a few strategies and a game plan.
9. Go for a drive. This one is really the best especially in the summer, roll your windows down put your favorite song on and sing at the top of your lungs even if you sound bad who cares you are just blowing off some steam let it all out even if you stop at a light singing while a stranger is looking at you like you're crazy, truth is we are all crazy.
10. Dance. Yes let loose and laugh it off even if you don't know how to dance just move your body like no one else is watching but first make sure that no one else is watching !