Stress is one of the major reasons why you are not achieving your daily job roles and living your dreams. According to researches, nothing stops you from achieving all you dream of achieving more than high-stress levels. The good news, however, is that there are several steps you can take and things you can do to manage stress better.
Managing your stress effectively is one very effective way to improve the quality of your life and increase productivity. A high-stress level does a lot of damage to your life and output and must not be allowed to mess up your life. In this post, we will look at some fun stress management activities to help you manage stress better and live a happier life.
1. Find ways to have a good laugh
Laughter has been found to be one of the f the most effective ways to manage your stress levels. If you always find a way to laugh even when life has not been treating you well, you will be amazed at how better you will be able to manage stress.
You don’t have to wait until something funny happens before you can have a good laugh. You can recall past events that made you laugh when they happened and relive the funny experience all over again.
Pay no attention if anyone thinks you are going bananas because of the frequency of your laughs. The goal is to make sure you stay merry enough to show stress the way out of your life.
Another easy way to always have a go laugh is to find people who have a good sense of humor and hang out with them once in a while. If you know where a sitcom comedy show would be showing, make sure you don’t miss the show. The more reasons you find to laugh, the happier and less stressed your life will be.
2. Dance even when there is no music
Dancing is one of the most effective ways to beat stress without even trying too hard. You don’t need any special dancing skills to achieve this. The best way to make this a daily habit is to dance as if no one else matters in the world.
If you can dance to a particular song that appeals to your soul, then do. However, you don’t have to wait until you hear the sound of music before you sweat it out with some energetic dance moves.
Apart from helping you manage stress more effectively, dancing has been found to be one of the ways you can keep yourself fit and healthy at any age. So, make dancing one of your daily healthy habits today and see your stress levels take an unprecedented dive.
3. Meditate daily
Mindful meditation remains a great tool for beating stress and other issues that affect your mental state and ability to perform maximally. It is a simple practice that helps you get rid of worries and regrets. Engaging in mindful meditation helps you concentrate and focus on the moment.
This is one effective daily habit that can help you achieve more in your place of work. When you learn to take your mind off everything that worries you, you will be able to concentrate on the tasks at hand and do more in less time.
Cultivating the habit of mindful meditation is quite easy. You only need to find a quiet place devoid of every distraction and focus on the rhythm of your breath. The more you practice this technique, the more you enjoy a clear mind and less stress.
4. Spend time with people who wish you well
Hanging out with people who love you genuinely is one easy way to get all stressors off your mind. Find time to visit that friend or family member who brings out the happy part of your life.
You can come up with fun activities to engage in while in the company of that friend or family member who makes you feel loved and appreciated. Whatever makes you happy and lively, engage in it and enjoy it while it lasts.
You can do this as often as you find the time to visit or have such lovely people come over to spend some time with you. Life is really short and you deserve to be happy.
5. See a funny movie
You don’t have to be a movie lover before you can see a good movie. Find out what funny movies are trending and go see the movie.
You can go with someone who would make a good company or go alone if there is no such person around. While at the movies, laugh as if you have no cares or worries in the world.
If there are cinemas or movie theatres around where you live, you can download some funny movies and videos from the Internet. Alternatively, you can catch up with your favorite sitcom on TV before you sleep.
6. Create a gratitude journal
A gratitude journal works like magic when it comes to beating stress. Think about all the things you have going for you in life and put them down on paper.
Recall the happy relationships, promotions at work, achievements in academics and other areas of life. Think about your spouse, kids, and friends. Write down everything that makes you happy on your gratitude list.
The more things you remember and put down on your gratitude journal, the more reasons you will have to be happy and enjoy life while it lasts.
7. Find a new hobby
You can find a new hobby and lose yourself in it whenever you get the chance to do so. There is no limit to the number of hobbies you can have. Even if you already have a good hobby, you can have another one.
Your new hobby could be in the area of sports, it could be in the area of entertainment. You can become obsessed with playing or watching football. You can spend more time listening to music. You can become a writer and turn all your pleasant experiences into beautiful stories.
Whatever you can spend time doing and feel happy with yourself and the life you have, do it with all your heart for all it is worth.
8. Get a new pet
A pet can be your best friend especially when you need something to channel all your attention to. If you have never thought of having a pet, now is a good time to do so.
Your new pet could be any small animal that can keep you happy and occupied. A little puppy or a fluffy cat would be an ideal choice here.
With a new puppy or cat around, you will find someone to potty train, talk to, play with, bath, and care for in other ways. Your new pet can be your new companion when you go out for a walk every morning. The more you do these things, the less stressed you will feel.
9. Get a good night’s sleep
One of the main causes of stress is inadequate sleep. If you have been skipping sleep for any reason, make sure you get at least 8-10 hours of sleep every night.
You can’t cheat nature and expect to get away with it. Each time you fail to give your body the adequate rest it needs to serve you well, you deny your mind the ability to function maximally.
Commit to going to bed at a particular time every night and waking up the same time every morning. This is how you can create a sleep schedule to help you improve your sleep habits.
10. Volunteer for a community service
Volunteering is a great way to get your mind off the things that worry you and enjoy some fresh outdoor air. Find a noble cause in your community and take part in their next community service.
You can volunteer for an animal right cause and join in the sensitization campaign. You can join a safe environment cause and help in environmental sanitation. Whatever activity you can partake in to help you connect with new people while enjoying the outdoor environment is always a great way to beat stress.
11. Go out on a date
If you are married or in a relationship, let your partner know you want to hang out with them. You can visit your favorite restaurant and enjoy your favorite dish.
If you have been planning to hang out with someone or have someone crushing on you, you can give them a chance to spoil you to help you release some feel-good hormones. While out on a date, you can get a little intimate. Share a hug or kiss and release some anti-stress hormones.
12. Go for a walk in the park
If you have not been getting enough morning sunshine, a morning walk is a good chance to get a good dose of it. Choose a cool track for your early walk and enjoy the morning sun.
Make sure the track or trail you choose is safe before you hit that track alone. You don’t want to add an assault to your list of stressors. If you feel it is not safe for you to leave home alone, find someone or some people who would love to join in the morning walk and go with them.
13. Do some gardening
If you have not been paying attention to the garden in your home, you can do so now. Gardening is an effective way to engage your mind positively and manage stress more effectively. Ask the person in charge of the garden what you can do to help.
You can volunteer to take care of the watering needs of the garden, get rid of weeds, plant new seeds or harvest mature fruits.
14. Go Camping
Camping is always a good opportunity to beat stress and have some fun with friends and family. Find a good camping destination and plan ahead.
Make sure you pack all the essentials before you leave home. Include items like your camping tent, a lighting device, food, and drinks, medical supplies and appropriate clothing.
15. Do some hunting
You don’t have to be a professional hunter before you can engage in a hunting expedition. Go with a team of hunters and stay out of harm’s way.
You don’t have to go with a shotgun or hunt for lions. A deer, rabbit or turkey hunting experience will do you some good and help you overcome stress.
16. Go fly fishing
Fly fishing is always a fun way to overcome stress. You don’t need any special fishing equipment. With your fishing line and hooks, you are good to go.
Find some members of the local fly fishing team and go with them. Even if you do not engage in any serious fly fishing yourself, the joy of watching others throw down their baits and make some catch is enough to help you beat stress.
17. Attend an open concert
Ask around to know what is happening around your city this weekend. You need to spend some time outdoors. If there is a concert happening, get a ticket and attend.
If you can go with someone, it would be more fun. The goal is to spend more time outdoors and mix up with happy people.
18. Go shopping
When last did you go shopping? In the real world (not online)? You need to give yourself a good treat. You have been working hard and can do with some pampering.
Visit your favorite shop and pick up a few personal supplies. You don’t have to spend a fortune on this. Just pick up a few nice clothes, shoes and perfume to help you smell nice and feel better about yourself.
19. Get a massage
Anything that pampers you helps you relieve stress. If you have been battling high-stress levels lately, schedule a visit to a massage parlor and let them give you a treat.
If there is no spar or massage parlor around you, you can give yourself a treat. Soak your legs in a warm bath and add some essential oils. Essential oils are known to have very soothing and calming effects.
20. Go on a vacation
Maybe it is time to visit a place you have always wanted to visit. Take a break from work and relax. You need to recharge your body and mind to keep them serving you maximally.
Don’t kill yourself trying to please the boss. If you become too stressed to keep working, chances are that they will find someone to replace you within a few hours.
Take a break and get away from all the work stress. Travel to somewhere calm and serene and pick a number of fun activities to engage in to keep yourself busy and happy.
21. Eat right
As insignificant as this might sound, your diet contributes to your stress levels in more ways than you know. You are actually what you eat. If you have been taking a lot of junk food, you need to stop and focus more on healthier food options.
The best foods for you should be made up of fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts. What you eat feeds your mind. If you want to enjoy a healthy mind, you must ensure you feed on healthy foods at all times.
Next time you feel like grabbing a burger and a coke, remember this and go for an apple and a bottle of water instead.
22. Declutter your life
One very effective stress management technique is to learn to say no to people and activities that leave you stressed out. If you have a lot of friends and engage in several activities during the day, you have to revisit your friends’ list.
Get rid of people who make you spend time on unproductive activities. Those friends that make you stay out late drinking during the weekend are adding to your stress levels.
By the time you remove unproductive friends and activities from your life, you will have less to worry about and more time to focus on healing and overcoming stress.
23. Get out of your head
Nothing stresses you more than having a stream of negative thoughts running through your mind. Anytime you notice past unpleasant experiences taking over your mind, the best thing to do would be to find ways to distract yourself.
You can pick up your phone and call up any of your lively friends and have them come over. You can play some video games alone or with someone. Anything you can do to stop the flow of negative thoughts will help you keep stress at bay.
Never allow stress to win this battle. You can’t get ahead in life with a high-stress level. Dealing with stress as soon as possible is the only way to put stress in its rightful place. With these fun stress management activities, you will no doubt live a more stress-free life and be able to achieve your dreams.
